General News
Igala Consultative Forum Endorses Restructuring of Nigeria, Adopts ‘Ane Igala Region’ Name
— The Ane Igala Regional Consultative Forum has endorsed the restructuring agenda of the Igala Group on Restructuring of the Nigerian Federation and affirmed “Ane Igala Region” as the official name of the proposed region.
The decisions were contained in a 12-point communique issued at the end of the forum held at the Royal Palace of the Ata Igala in Idah, Kogi State, on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
According to the communique, participants endorsed the work of the Igala Group on Restructuring, led by Prof. Mrs Lucy Jumeyi Ogbadu, after being briefed on the group’s activities and objectives.
The Forum also noted the Ata-in-Council’s blessing and affirmation that the name Ane Igala Region should remain the official designation of the proposed region.
The Forum stated that Ane Igala represents a restructuring of the Nigerian federation into what it described as the “Federated Regions of Nigeria (FRN).” It further said participants reflected on the historical experience of the Igala nation and expressed the view that restructuring could provide what they consider a solution to the political challenges confronting the people.
A significant aspect of the meeting was the participation of delegations from Enugu and Anambra States, which the communique described as encouraging.
The delegations reportedly rejected the description of their communities as merely “Igala-speaking” people, insisting that they are indigenous native Igala people of Anambra and Enugu States. They consequently called for the terminology to be corrected in future references and correspondence.
The Forum also highlighted what it described as the strategic geographical position of Ane Igala, arguing that its centrality connects it to different parts of Nigeria and constitutes an important factor in the region’s proposed role within the restructuring framework.
The meeting also addressed the question of political leadership in the proposed region and agreed that criteria for effective and efficient leadership selection would be developed, with prospective politicians expected to meet the criteria before serving in the proposed Ane Igala Region.
The leadership of the old 21 District Development Associations in Kogi East also pledged to align with the Igala Group on Restructuring and help ensure that the outcomes of the group’s activities reach communities at the grassroots.
A statement by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Igala Group on Restructuring, Dr James Odaudu, said the Forum further expressed satisfaction with the recognition given to two of its members to serve at the national secretariat of The Rebirth Group, promising them continued support.
It also acknowledged the contribution of an Ane Igala son to the production of the Articles of Federation, which, according to the communique, is being used as a template by other regions. The Forum said this demonstrated the availability of requisite human resources within the proposed region.
In its concluding resolutions, the Forum pledged to continue consultations with members of the proposed Ane Igala Region who have yet to be reached, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, with the stated objective of securing their consent.
It also resolved that all registered participants at the consultative forum would be uploaded onto the platform of the Ane Igala Group on Restructuring as members for the activities ahead.
The communique was signed in 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 resolutions mark another step in the activities of the Igala Group on Restructuring as it continues its consultations on its proposed model of restructuring the Nigerian federation.