POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
A juxtaposition of the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates with the final relocation of Igarra people down to the plains from the rocky hill tops leaves no doubt that Igarra people's participation in politics started much after amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates. All records are unanimous that the first political party ever formed in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), was by Herbert Macaulay in 1922 which was just two years post the appointment of village head, in the person of Momodu Ajayi, in Igarra by the British colonial overlords.
The confinement of the NNDP's activities to Lagos Colony alone followed by its demise on account of the rise of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) which as well had its activities restricted to Lagos Colony makes clearer the long term insulation of Igarra and indeed most other parts of Nigeria from partisan politics participation until the coming of the MacPhersons Constitution of 1951 which broadened the reach of political participation by its provision that created regional assemblies and regional houses of chiefs. On account of this development, the first Igarra native to actively play partisan politics was Pa Awodi Orisaremi who, through the NCNC party, got elected to represent the Akoko-Edo District of Kukuruku Afemai Division in the Western Region Assembly. He would later switch over to the Action Group in his attempt to get elected to the Federal House of Representatives. But the attempt failed and he returned to NCNC.
However, the Igarra chieftancy dispute which remotely began in 1933 which birthed the native court case at the kukuruku native court would later be a factor influencing political discource in Igarra community till date. During the wake of these clamors and interest alignment which was much more profound during the period of Chief A.B mayaki of the Eshimozoko clan and Otaru Aido. All this ended up creating a wave of political antagonism to such an extent that politics in Igarra became highly influenced by what has come to be described as ‘ANDA CONSCIOUSNESS’ To this effect Igarra people in the party system era that followed chose to align with political parties based on ANDA interest or considerations.
It should also be noted that the term “Eziobe” and “Eziezu” are not original Etuno clans but each are interest group of particular clans coming together to pursue particular aims. The ‘Anda’ effect created a stiff political antagonism which has endured till today regardless of all pretenses and sloganeering of oneness. This created a polarization of ‘Eziezu’ and ‘Eziobe’ along political lines.
THE FIRST REPUBLIC.
During the first republic most ‘Eziobe” identified with Chief Obafemi Awolowo party-Action Group – while most “Eziezus” identified with the NCNC founded by Herbert Macaulay but later taken over by Nnamdi Azikiwe. The first republic however ended abruptly under six years due to the military intervention of July 15 1966 which ushered in military rule. Igarra and indeed the whole of Nigeria took a break from partisan politics.
Subsequently one would observe that during the second republic the majority of Eziezu pitched their support with the Awolowo Yoruba dominated Unity party of Nigeria while Eziezu aligned more with National party of Nigeria founded and dominated by the hausa Fulani dominated core north of Nigeria.
While all these political antagonisms thrive the main objective on the part of each Eziobes and Eziezus was to acquire greater relevance and influence government particularly at the state level towards an advantage with respect to the raging chieftancy dispute in Igarra.
