If You Don’t Know Where You Are Going, You Should Understand Where You Are Coming From: The Traditional Governance Structure of the Igala Kingdom and Its Influence on Nigeria’s Government System SOCIAL MEDIA STORYLINE EPISODE 112 Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah People without a clear understanding of their past will struggle to navigate their future. This truth applies to individuals, societies, and even nations. The Igala Kingdom, one of Nigeria’s most historically significant traditional institutions, has a structured governance system that predates colonial rule. Understanding this system provides insight into the cultural and political foundations of the Igala people and their contribution to Nigeria’s governance model. The Igala traditional governance structure mirrors Nigeria’s modern federal system, where: THE KINGDOM REPRESENTS A COUNTRY CHIEFDOMS FUNCTION AS STATES DISTRICTS ALIGN WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS (LGAs) VILLAGES OPERATE LIKE WARDS CLANS SERVE AS SMALL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS This structured system provided the foundation for governance, ensuring order, cultural preservation, and leadership succession. However, modern alterations and political interference have disrupted traditional authority, leading to governance errors that must be corrected to preserve Igala heritage. THE HIERARCHICAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OF THE IGALA KINGDOM 1. The Kingdom (Equivalent to a Country) At the helm of Igala governance is the Attah Igala, the supreme ruler and spiritual custodian of the Igala people. His influence extends beyond Kogi State into parts of Enugu, Anambra, Asaba, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, and Koton Karfe. The Attah is responsible for upholding cultural traditions, ensuring justice, and unifying the Igala people. 2. The Chiefdoms (Equivalent to States) Below the Attah Igala are several chiefdoms, each led by a traditional ruler known as an Onu. These chiefs serve as political and spiritual heads within their territories, overseeing governance, settling disputes, and maintaining cultural traditions. NOTABLE IGALA CHIEFDOMS AND THEIR TRADITIONAL TITLES 1. Onu Ochogwu of Ogugu Chiefdom 2. Ojibo Igah of Igah Chiefdom 3. Obaje Otalu of Atabaka Chiefdom 4. Ogala Adeh of Adeh Chiefdom 5. Oda-Ojiji of Imane Chiefdom 6. Onu Ankpa of Ankpa Chiefdom 7. Onu Ajobe of Ajobe Chiefdom 8. Onu Ojoku of Ojoku Chiefdom 9. Onu Okaba of Okaba Chiefdom 10. Onu Enjema of Enjema Chiefdom 11. Onu Iye of Iye Chiefdom 12. Ojogba Ife of Ife Chiefdom 13. Onu Abejukolo of Abejukolo Chiefdom 14. Anumecasa of Egume Chiefdom 15. Etemahi of Igalamela Chiefdom 16. Onu Iyogbo of Iyogbo Chiefdom 17. Onu Aboso of Aboso Chiefdom 18. Onu Itobe of Itobe Chiefdom 19. Onu Ogbogbo of Ogbogbo Chiefdom 20. Onu Ayah of Ayah Chiefdom 21. Onu Eyodega of Eyodega Chiefdom 22. Onu Odolu of Odolu Chiefdom 23. Onu Akpaya of Akpaya Chiefdom These chiefdoms extend beyond Kogi State, reinforcing the historical spread of Igala influence. 3. The Districts (Equivalent to Local Government Areas - LGAs) Gago now district head Each chiefdom is further divided into districts, led by district heads who oversee administrative functions, resolve disputes, and serve as intermediaries between chiefs and village heads. 4. The Villages (Equivalent to Wards) Each district consists of villages, led by madaki (village heads) responsible for maintaining law and order, preserving customs, and resolving local conflicts. 5. The Clans (Equivalent to Small Administrative Units) At the lowest level of governance are the clans, which consist of extended family units. Each clan has a head, known as an Achokolobian who oversees family matters, ensures adherence to cultural traditions, and settles internal disputes. THE EJEH TITLES AND GOVERNANCE ERROR IN THE MODERN IGALA LEADERSHIP INTRODUCTION OF THE EJEH TITLE The Ejeh title was introduced during the administration of Prince Abubakar Audu as an attempt to decentralize traditional authority. However, this move created governance tensions, particularly concerning the status of the Ejeh Ankpa, which historically held great significance. A notable controversy arose when Late Col. Hassan, a former Ejeh Ankpa, attempted to revive colonial-era divisions within the Igala Kingdom. This move was resisted by traditional leaders, leading to the downgrading of Ankpa Chiefdom from its historical dominance. GOVERNANCE ERROR IN EJEH APPOINTMENTS A major error in Igala governance today is the appointment of Ejeh from outside the Onu Ane (local chiefs) hierarchy. Traditionally, an Ejeh must be selected from among the Onu Ane chiefs within an LGA. However, modern appointments have ignored this principle, allowing neutral individuals with no traditional initiation to assume the title of Ejeh. This violates Igala customs and undermines the authority of chiefs who have undergone traditional rites. For instance, it is a serious cultural error for an uninitiated Ejeh to break kolanut in the presence of a traditionally crowned Onu Ane chief. Such practices must be corrected to maintain traditional legitimacy. Traditional and Honorary Chieftaincy Titles The Igala Kingdom recognizes both traditional and honorary chieftaincy titles. These titles serve different purposes: Traditional titles are inherited or granted based on cultural rites. Honorary titles are awarded to individuals for their contributions to the Igala Kingdom. THE NEED FOR RESTORATION AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION To correct the governance errors and protect Igala traditions, the following recommendations must be implemented: 1. The appointment of Ejeh must be restricted to Onu Ane chiefs to uphold cultural legitimacy. 2. Traditional leadership hierarchy must be respected to prevent distortion of Igala governance. 3. The Igala people must preserve their historical narratives and resist external influences that seek to alter traditional governance structures. CONCLUSION The Igala Kingdom’s governance system laid the foundation for Nigeria’s federal structure, ensuring order, unity, and cultural preservation. However, modern political interference has distorted traditional leadership, particularly in the appointment of Ejeh in various LGAs. As the saying goes, “If you don’t know where you are going, you should understand where you are coming from.” The Igala people must return to their historical roots, uphold their governance traditions, and correct modern errors to ensure the continued strength of their kingdom. By preserving their traditional governance system, the Igala people will not only maintain their cultural identity but also serve as a model of structured leadership for future generations. Social Media Storyline Episode 112 Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah