Why We Are Querying Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland – Kogi Govt

The Kogi State Government has said it issued a query to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim, over alleged insubordination.

Naija News recalls that Governor Yahaya Bello had ordered that a query be issued to the monarch over his refusal to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to the state when he visited the state on December 29 to inaugurate some projects.

However, in a statement on Monday, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Momodu, said the traditional ruler was queried for his deliberate act of disloyalty and insubordination to the President and Governor Bello.

Momodu said Ibrahim failed to attend the commissioning of the remodeled and reconstructed palace after the monarch was invited to the event, adding that he has opted to live in his house instead of the palace.

The commissioner said the state will not allow any person, no matter how highly placed, to “ridicule, humiliate and cast aspersion on or disdain the genuine intention” of the administration.

The statement read in part: “That does not erase the fact that there is an official palace built over the years for Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. It was for this reason that when the idea to reconstruct the palace to make it befitting for the revered stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was muted, he (Ohinoyi of Ebiraland) was sufficiently consulted and he gave his consent.

“Upon the completion of the project which has received commendation from far and wide and the date for the commissioning by the President was approved and announced, I personally paid a visit to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and I duly informed him of the programme of event.

“Although he responded negatively that he would not attend, I persuaded and entreated him to kindly attend in view of the importance of the project and especially the personality of the President that would commission the project.

“It is now known to all and sundry that he made good his negative disposition not on any account of ill health or circumstances beyond his control, but a deliberate act of disloyalty and insubordination to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Executive Governor of Kogi State.

“It may interest the public to know that the official visit of Mr President to Kogi State to commission projects was not limited to Okene alone, sundry projects were commissioned by the President in Lokoja, the State capital. To this effect, the President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa, Attah Igala, led other Royal Majesties and all 1st Class Chiefs from both East and West Senatorial Districts and from their far domains to receive the President at the designated venue in Lokoja.

“It is therefore left for the public to judge if it was fair and appropriate for His Royal Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, whose private residence is a few meters away from the venue of the commissioning of the palace, and being the principal beneficiary of the project, to stay put in his house while all the Graded Chiefs within the Central Senatorial District were present in solidarity with him to honour and receive the President.

”Let the general public rest assured that Government will handle this matter with utmost objectivity devoid of any sentiment. The panel that will be set up to look into the matter will be dispassionate, diligent and rational and will ensure fairness, equity and justice.”