IDAH, Kogi State — Stakeholders at an Ane Igala Regional Consultative Forum in Idah, Kogi State, have endorsed the restructuring proposals being championed by the Igala Group on Restructuring of the Nigerian Federation.
The stakeholders, who met at the Royal Palace of the Ata Igala on September 20, 2026, also affirmed Ane Igala Region as the official name of the proposed region and expressed support for a restructuring model under which Nigeria would be organised as the Federated Regions of Nigeria (FRN).
According to a statement by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the Igala Group on Restructuring, Dr James Odaudu, the resolutions were contained in a 12-point communique released after the one-day consultative forum.
The forum said its endorsement followed a presentation by the leadership of the group on its restructuring initiative. It also acknowledged the blessing and affirmation of the Ata-in-Council for the continued use of the name Ane Igala Region.
Anambra, Enugu Delegates Assert Igala Identity
The meeting also attracted representatives described in the communique as kith and kin from Anambra and Enugu States.
The representatives reportedly objected to the description of their communities as “Igala-speaking” people, insisting instead that they are indigenous Igala people of the two states. They requested that the distinction be reflected in future official references and correspondence concerning them.
The forum said the participation of the delegations was significant to its regional integration efforts and expressed encouragement over their stated desire to participate in the proposed Ane Igala Region.
Forum Highlights Strategic Location
The stakeholders also drew attention to the geographical position of the proposed region, describing Ane Igala as centrally located and connected to different parts of Nigeria.
According to the communique, participants considered this centrality a strategic asset that should be leveraged in discussions surrounding the proposed restructuring arrangement.
The forum further resolved that mechanisms for selecting political leaders in the proposed region should be developed. It said prospective political office holders would be expected to meet agreed leadership criteria before serving in the proposed regional structure.
Also highlighted was a resolution which concerned grassroots mobilisation, as the leadership of the old 21 District Development Associations in Kogi East pledged to align with the Igala Group on Restructuring and assist in taking the group’s activities and outcomes to communities across the area.
The forum also commended the participation of its members in broader restructuring initiatives, including the recognition of two of its sons at the national secretariat of The Rebirth Group.
It further noted the contribution of an Ane Igala member to the production of the Articles of Federation, which it said was being used as a template by other regions. This was viewed as evidence of the availability of human resources for the proposed regional project.
The stakeholders resolved to continue consultations with members of the proposed region who have not yet been reached, including those living outside Nigeria.
The objective, according to the communique, is to secure the consent and participation of members of the proposed region both within the country and in the diaspora.
Participants at the Idah meeting were also to be registered on the platform of the ‘Ane Igala Group on Restructuring’ for subsequent activities.
The communique was signed at Idah on September 20 by Prof. Mrs Lucy Jumeyi Ogbadu, National Coordinator; Alphonsus K. Alhassan, Secretary; Prof. Godwin H. Ogbadu, Member; and Amb. Ali Ocheni, General Secretary, CRN/TRG.
The Idah meeting is expected to form part of continuing consultations by the Igala Group on Restructuring as it seeks wider participation and support for its proposed regional restructuring framework.