Ane-Igala Socio-Cultural Association
NO 29 Palace Road Opata, Idah Kogi State
Date: 11th May 2025
His Excellency,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Presidential Villa
Abuja, Nigeria
PETITION AGAINST THE EXCLUSION OF IGALA PEOPLE IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTH CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NCDC) BOARD
With deepest respect and patriotic regard, we, the members of the Ane-Igala Socio-Cultural Association, write on behalf of the peace-loving people of Kogi East Senatorial District, predominantly of Igala descent, to express our collective displeasure and outright rejection of the recently announced constitution of the Board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
It is with heavy hearts that we observe, yet again, the deliberate exclusion of our people in a matter so vital to the development and representation of the North Central zone—a region we belong to by every political, geographical, and historical standard.
Your Excellency, during the 2023 General Elections, the Igala people of Kogi East stood firmly with you. We delivered one of the highest bloc votes in the entire state—demonstrating our faith in your leadership and our belief in a renewed hope. Yet, since the beginning of this administration, we have found ourselves entirely marginalized. No significant federal appointments have been extended to our people, and no single federal project—either initiated, ongoing, or completed—can be identified in our zone.
This recent composition of the NCDC Board has added salt to an already open wound. How could an entire ethnic group with such a massive population and historic contributions to national development and stability be excluded without any explanation or justification?
We ask with pain in our hearts: What is our offense? Why are we continuously sidelined?
The Igala people have always contributed immensely to Nigeria’s unity, politics, and progress. We have never asked for more than our fair share, yet we are treated as if we do not matter. This continuous pattern of marginalization and suppression is unacceptable and unbefitting of the democratic ideals Your Excellency upholds.
We, therefore, demand the total cancellation and review of the current NCDC Board composition. We strongly urge Your Excellency to order a fresh and inclusive selection process that ensures the fair representation of all ethnic groups in the North Central region—including, and especially, the Igala people. We further recommend that an Igala son or daughter be considered for the position of Chairman or Secretary of the Commission to begin to address this glaring imbalance.
We believe in your vision for a united and inclusive Nigeria, and we trust that you will not allow the voice of millions of loyal citizens from Kogi East to go unheard.
We thank you for your attention and await your swift and just intervention.
Yours faithfully,
Citizen Akwu Umar Goodman
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Ane-Igala Socio-Cultural Association (AISCA)
CC:
– Senate President
– Speaker, House of Representatives
– Secretary to the Government of the Federation
– Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
– Governor of Kogi State
– Chairman, NCDC Board
