Prominent indigenes of Ebiraland in Kogi State have waded into the crisis between Kogi State Government and Ebira monarch, Ohinoyi Ado Ibrahim.
They flayed the eminent traditional ruler for allegedly disrespecting the offices of President Muhammadu Buhari and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Noting that monarchs must respect constituted authority, the indigenes also promised to ensure reconciliation between the governor and monarch.
There was an allegation that the great monarch had snubbed Buhari and Bello when the president visited Kogi on December 29 last year to commission some landmark projects executed by the administration in the state.
The indigenes alleged that Dr Ibrahim had taken sides in politics, instead of being neutral and playing father to all as a traditional ruler.
But, other indigenes also absolved the traditional ruler, saying that the allegation was not true.
Concerned indigenes are trying to broker peace between the government and the Ebira Palace, it was learnt.
A statement titled: “Ohinoyi’s Query Is Perfectly In Order,” signed by Isa Ozi Salami, Ohiotenyete of Ebiraland and President, Nigeria Institute for Industrial Security; and HRH Salihu Abdullahi, Ajimasi Idu Eyire Uhuapa Ebiya and Secretary, Ebira Peoples Human Rights Defence, Okene, said
“there has been no regime in Kogi State that has not queried Alhaji Ado”.
They urged the monarch to uphold the prestige of the exalted throne, like his forebears who had conducted themselves with grace, honour and dignity.
They called on the administration in the state to implement the court judgement granting Uhuodo community autonomy and entitling them to a separate Ohi stool in Okehi Local Government while urging the government to make eligibility to the Ohinoyi stool exclusive to Ohis only.
They specifically described the traditional ruler’s action against President Buhari and Bello as “untenably reprehensible, to say the least.”.
The indigenes added: “Should the Ohinoyi refuse to answer the official query issued to him within the stipulated timeframe, we call on the state government not to hesitate to do the needful promptly, following due process. Heavens will not fall.
“If nothing is done to redress this situation, it means Alh Ado Ibrahim is above everybody, including the government. Today, none of our six Ohis find his private house safe and conducive to attend meetings or functions, yet he is reluctant to shift venue for meetings to the ultra-modern Ohinoyi’s Palace. We have no dynasty in Ebiraland and can never accept an imposition.
“Awwal Ibrahim, former elected Civilian Governor of Niger State; now Emir of Suleja; Gen. Abu Ali, former Military Governor of Bauchi State, now Etsu Bassa-Nge; Gen. Sani Sami, one-time military governor of Bauchi State, now Emir of Zuru; and Gen Bashar, one-time military governor of defunct Gongola State, now Emir of Gwandu, are good examples of those who sit in their current revered stools with grace and comportment.
“No responsible government or governor can tolerate such irresponsible and awful misconduct from any monarch under any guise.
“That is why we unequivocally and unwaveringly support the query issued to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim.
“There has been no regime in Kogi State that has not queried Alhaji Ado. In the case of Governor Yahaya Bello, this is his second query.
“We implore our dynamic governor to kindly implement the court judgement granting Uhuodo community autonomy and entitling them to a separate Ohi stool in Okehi Local Govt.
“Wherever any local government harbours more than one Ohi, the chairmanship of the local government traditional council should rotate every two years among the Ohis. This will underscore our belief that clans are equal.
“A kingmakers committee should be created for the Ohinoyi stool, consisting of equal nominees of each Ohi’s kingmakers council.
This will make ascension simple, all embracing and credible by sanitising the process.
“The Ohinoyi as father figure should only chair the Area Traditional Council and not any local government traditional council.
“The ban on traditional festivals should be abrogated so that local government can control them and earn revenue accordingly, making their peaceful observance easier to monitor.”
