The vacant traditional stool of Attah Igala has been filled, a statement said in Lokoja on Saturday
The stool of the Attah Igala became vacant following the demise of the former Attah, Alhaji Aliyu Obaje, on July 16 after 56 years reign on the throne.
The statement signed by the Head the body of kingmakers. Abel Etuh, the Etemahi Igalamela was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.
Etuh said that the kingmakers had submitted the name of its nominee to the Igala Traditional Area Council for ratification, adding: “we are unanimous in our choice of the right and acceptable candidate which should be kept secret for now’’.
He said the Attah designate was selected from the seven aspirants presented by the four ruling houses – Aju Ocholi; Aju Akogu; Aju Ameacho and Aju Akwu.
The head of the body of kingmakers said the ruling houses were mandated to produce a consensus candidate but they declined.
Etuh said that the Chairman of the four ruling houses of Attah Igala dynasty, Sunday Okolo of Aju-Ameacho, was directed to screen the aspirants.?
He, however, pointed out that the screening committee submitted a written report of their inability to have a consensus candidate because each ruling house stood by its nominees.
According to him, their position notwithstanding, the kingmakers have to come up with a candidate.
“We, the Igalamela kingmakers always follow due process in handling all matters before us,’’ he said in the statement.
Etuh admitted that the nomination of seven aspirants by the ruling houses were in conformity with Igala Native Laws and Customs on succession to the Attah throne.
He explained that rotational arrangement from Ayegba Oma-Idoko's dynasty and proviso that Attah Igala designate must be a son of an Attah, were criteria used for the selection.
The head of the body of kingmakers reiterated in the statement that only one nominee and not two as widely speculated was submitted to council for ratification.
Etuh, however, denied insinuations that the kingmakers emerged from the selection meeting polarised.
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