IGALA KINGDOM: A MELTING POINT OR A VICTIM OF FRAUDULENT AMALGAMATION OF NIGERIA? Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah Social Media Storyline Episode 116 The history of the Igala Kingdom, like that of Nigeria, is one of strength, resilience, and forced compromises. As one of the most powerful and organized kingdoms before colonial rule, the Igala nation stood as a beacon of unity, cultural identity, and economic independence. However, the British colonial enterprise, driven by greed and administrative convenience, disrupted this natural order, fragmenting the Igala people and turning their homeland into a pawn in the game of geopolitical manipulation. IGALA KINGDOM BEFORE COLONIAL RULE: A True Melting POINT Long before the British arrived, the Igala Kingdom was a strong and organized entity with its own system of governance under the Attah of Igala. It was a center of commerce, culture, and military power, interacting with neighboring tribes through trade and diplomacy rather than imposed coercion. The Igala people had a well-structured leadership, with the Attah ruling from Idah, maintaining law and order. Igala influence extended beyond its core land, forming strong alliances with the Jukun, Nupe, Yoruba, and Igbo peoples. The kingdom thrived on agriculture, fishing, and trade, with access to the Niger and Benue rivers, which facilitated commerce. In essence, the Igala Kingdom was a natural melting pot—a place where different cultures coexisted, not through force but through mutual respect and shared economic interests. COLONIAL MANIPULATION: THE FRAGMENTATION OF IGALA LAND However, like the rest of Nigeria, Igala land fell victim to the British divide-and-rule strategy. Instead of allowing the kingdom to remain as a unified administrative entity, the British split it between the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Northern Igala (Kogi East) was placed under indirect rule, where the British controlled governance through the Attah of Igala. Southern Igala (parts of present-day Anambra, Enugu, and Benue states) were grouped with the Southern Protectorate, subjected to direct British administration. This division was not accidental; it was a deliberate strategy to weaken resistance and prevent the Igala people from asserting their collective influence. By fragmenting the kingdom, the British ensured that Igala unity would be difficult to maintain, much like they did with Nigeria as a whole. The 1914 Amalgamation: A Forced and Fraudulent Union The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was not a decision made in the interest of the indigenous people but a colonial business strategy. The British sought to merge the Northern and Southern Protectorates for administrative convenience and financial gain. The South was economically viable, rich in resources, and had a booming trade network. The North was less financially self-sufficient and relied on British grants. The British needed Southern resources to fund the colonial administration in the North. This economic imbalance meant that regions like Igala land, with its natural wealth and strategic location, were exploited rather than empowered. The amalgamation disregarded historical ties, cultural uniqueness, and governance structures, treating Nigeria as a business rather than a nation. IGALA KINGDOM: A Model of Unity in a Fractured Nation Despite the colonial attempt to weaken the Igala nation, its people have continued to demonstrate resilience and unity. Unlike many regions that became permanently divided by ethnic and religious tensions, the Igala people have maintained a strong sense of identity and togetherness. The Igala people, whether in Kogi, Benue, or Anambra, still recognize their common ancestry. The traditional institution of the Attah remains a unifying symbol. Igala elites continue to push for the political and economic advancement of their people, despite external attempts to suppress their influence. While Nigeria struggles with its imposed unity, the Igala Kingdom serves as an example of what a naturally unified nation should look like—where people coexist not because of forced colonial boundaries but because of shared history, culture, and aspirations. A CHOICE BETWEEN UNITY AND COLONIAL DIVISION The question remains: Is the Igala Kingdom a true melting pot of togetherness, or has it become another victim of Nigeria’s fraudulent amalgamation? The answer lies in the ability of the Igala people to rise above colonial-era divisions and reclaim their collective destiny. TO MOVE FORWARD, the Igala nation must: 1. Reinforce Unity Across Borders – Igala communities across different states must strengthen their bonds and reclaim their shared identity. 2. Demand Political and Economic Empowerment – Instead of being pawns in Nigeria’s political game, Igala leaders must fight for real representation and development. 3. Preserve Cultural and Historical Legacy – The Igala people must continue to educate future generations on their rich history, ensuring that colonial distortions do not erase their identity. Nigeria’s foundation may have been fraudulent, but the Igala Kingdom was never an artificial creation. It was, and still is, a natural center of unity, resilience, and self-determination. The challenge now is whether the Igala people will allow themselves to be dragged down by Nigeria’s imposed divisions or rise above them to reclaim their true place in history. Comrade Enemona Abel Ellah 08063147574