The Kogi State Government has justified querying the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim for his refusal to grace the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari when he visited the state to inaugurate Governor Yahaya Bello’s projects.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Ozigi, in a statement on Monday, said that the monarch’s negative disposition was not on any account of ill health or circumstances beyond his control, but a deliberate act of disloyalty and insubordination to the President.
The statement partly read, “The current Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, opted, on his own, chose to stay in his house and use it as a palace, but that does not erase the fact that there is an official palace built over the years for Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
“Upon the completion of the project which has received a commendation from far and wide and the date for the inauguration by the President was approved and announced, I 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 inaugurate the project.”
The government further stated that it will continue to ensure that this state is governed by the rule of law, respect for authority and humanity and the guarantee of equal rights for all citizens.
Meanwhile, prominent indigenes of Ebira land in Kogi State have flayed Ibrahim for snubbing Buhari and Bello, noting that monarchs must respect constituted authority and should not play God.
They made their positions public in a statement on Monday, co-signed by Ohiotenyete of Ebiraland, Isa Salami, and Ajimasi Idu Eyire Uhuapa Ebiya, Salihu Abdullahi.
The Ebira leaders backed the query given to the monarch noting that “there has been no regime in Kogi State that has not queried Alhaji Ado.”
The statement read partly, “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.”
