I read with surprise the article authored by one JJ Idachaba
titled MY LAST CRY FOR OPALUWA OGWUCHE.
I am ordinarily supposed to ignore him but it is important I
teach him what he seems not to know about our customs and traditions that he
professes to know so much.
In that article, the author raised several issues for
determination and the crux of all the issues was which family will produce the
next Atta.
What the author is asking for can be equivalent of asking
for the moon. He is by implication asking that we name an Atta in waiting.
For avoidance of doubt, it is forbidden for two Attas to
exist side by side, in fact, it is unheard of! That was the singular reason
that aborted the planned erection of Ame Oboni’s statue in Idah several years
back while Ali Obaje was alive and kicking.
Issues about succession of Atta are never visited until the death of
Atta. That is why tradition requires if Atta dies; a long period of about three
months must elapse before a new Atta can emerge.
Therefore, the issues raised in the article in view cannot
be attended to until the office of Atta becomes vacant.
Let us be patient, time will answer us all.
Emmanuel Musa
