Kogi Govt Appoints New Ohinoyi, Deposes Three Monarchs

 Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appointed Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Ana­je, formerly Ohi of Oken­we as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

Dr. Ado Ibrahim, the for­mer Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, died on October 29, 2023, af­ter a protracted illness.

After his death, at least 70 persons indicated in­terest in succeeding him, according to Alhaji Yunu­sa Sule, the Secretary of Ebiraland Traditional Council.

Among those who indi­cated interest were former deputy governor of the state, Dr. Philip Salawu; former Clerk of the Nation­al Assembly, Ataba Sani Omolori; Brigadier Gener­al Yusuf Abubakar Amu­da; Momoh Shaibu, Prof. Ibrahim Onuwe Abdulma­lik, HRH Dr. Ahmad Tijani Anaje; and Mr. Ahmed Mo­moh Jimoh.

But on Monday, Gover­nor Bello announced Alhaji Anje as Ibrahim’s succes­sor.

The governor also de­posed the paramount ruler and Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, Alhaji Ab­dulrazak Isa Koto, along­side two other traditional rulers in the state.

The removal of the Ohi­mege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the chairman of Lokoja/Kogi Traditional Council, was announced on Monday at the State Execu­tive Council (SEC) meeting that was held at the Exco Hall of the Government House in Lokoja on Monday.

Governor Bello while an­nouncing the deposition of the traditional rulers, said, “Having followed through our Traditional and Chief­taincy Laws, Rules and Regulations and all the due processes, we have come to the following resolutions:

“His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council is hereby removed and to be deposed to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

“His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo is removed and to be deposed to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Ni­ger State.

“His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, is re­moved and to be deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Govern­ment Area of Niger State.”

Yahaya Bello added that the title ‘Obobanyi of Ihi­ma’ which reads on the pro­motion letter, upgrading the stool to a first class sta­tus, was done without cog­nisance to the fact that the title, ‘Obobanyi of Ihima’, was a subject of litigation and the court of law was yet to arrive at the possi­ble final decision, as such, the state government has, however, received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.

He said, “To this end, the stool is hereby reverted to ‘Obobanyi of Emani’ as the present occupant remains deposed.

“His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the ONU-IFE in Omala Local Gov­ernment is to be suspend­ed, indefinitely.”

Bello added that after due intervention by the state government to resolve the lingering controversies that have characterised the selection process for traditional rulers in the state, the state government came up with the following appointments of the next occupants.

Similarly, Alhaji Ibra­him Gambo Kabir was an­nounced and appointed as the Maigari of Lokoja and Alhaji Dauda Isah was ap­pointed as the Maiyaki of Kupa.

He added that going by the selection decision of the Odaki Ruling House, dated 27/4/2012 and en­dorsed by the Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, dated 14/5/2012, Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu is hereby ap­pointed as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be tur­baned immediately to avoid a vacuum.

Gov. Bello added, “Going by the High Court judg­ment of 1998, which gave full recognition to Ododo as bonafide child of Ita’azi the father of Ebiraland and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebiraland with equal rights as others, therefore, the stool of Ohi of Uhuodo is hereby cre­ated and processes for the occupation of the stool to commence with immediate effect.”