Ebira Indigenes Seek Truce As Kogi Govt, Ohinoyi Crisis Deepens

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  • Groups demand separate Ohi stool in Okehi LGA
  • Urge Gov Bello to lift ban on traditional festivals
  • Insist Royal father must reply to govt query 

BY VICTOR BUORO – Concerned by the raging crisis between the Kogi State Government and the traditional ruler of Ebira, Ohinoyi Ado Ibrahim, some prominent indigenes of Ebiraland have waded into the matter with an appeal for understanding on both sides.

The peace move comes on the heels of some groups chiding the royal father for allegedly disrespecting the offices of President Muhammadu Buhari and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello while others have absolved him of any blame, claiming that the allegations are untrue.

However, amid efforts by concerned indigenes to broker peace between the government and the Ebira Palace, Forefront News reliably gathered that the crisis seems to be deepening due to the hard stance being displayed by some interested parties.

According to emerging facts, some groups considered as anti-Ohinoyi in the festering crisis seem aligned with the allegation that the monarch deliberately snubbed President Buhari and Governor Bello during the presidential visit on December 29, 2023, for the commissioning of some landmark projects executed by the Kogi State government.

For these groups, it is important that the traditional institutions respect constituted authority, even as they claimed that Dr Ibrahim has involved himself in partisan politics, rather than being neutral and father to all as a respected royal father in the State.

In a statement titled: “Ohinoyi’s Query Is Perfectly In Order,” and signed by Ohiotenyete of Ebiraland and President, Nigeria Institute for Industrial Security, Isa Ozi Salami; and Ajimasi Idu Eyire Uhuapa Ebiya and Secretary, Ebira Peoples Human Rights Defence, Okene, HRH Salihu Abdullahi, the group noted that; “There has been no regime in Kogi State that has not queried Alhaji Ado”.

The statement, therefore, charged the Ohinoyi to uphold the prestige of the exalted throne, like his forebears who had conducted themselves humbly with grace, honour and dignity during their reigns.

Specifically describing the Ohinoyi’s alleged action against President Buhari and Governor Bello as “untenably reprehensible, to say the least”, the group said; “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.”

Giving reasons for their views on the face-off, the group further said in its statement; “Today, none of our six Ohis find his (Ohinoyi) private house safe and conducive to attending meetings or functions, yet he is reluctant to shift the 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.”

Additionally, the statement urged the State government to, as a matter of urgency, implement the court ruling granting Uhuodo community autonomy with a separate Ohi stool in Okehi Local Government while also making eligibility to the Ohinoyi stool exclusive to Ohis only.

The statement said; “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 Government Area.

“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 statement while also suggesting that; “The Ohinoyi as father figure should only chair the Area Traditional Council and not any local government traditional council”, canvassed that; “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.”

Meanwhile, insiders have hinted that whatever position some groups may be canvassing for now, well-meaning indigenes of Ebiraland and the State at large are seriously worried and have promised to ensure true reconciliation between Governor Bello and the Ohinoyi in the overall interest of Ebira people and the Kogi State.

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