Top Kogi monarch Ohinoyi in trouble over absence during Buhari's visit

• Published date: 08 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Gets 48-hour ultimatum to respond to query from ministry

THE official visit President Muhammadu Buhari paid to Kogi State penultimate Thursday may have landed the paramount ruler of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, in trouble.

This followed a query issued the traditional ruler by the state's Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for allegedly failing to welcome President Buhari when the latter visited the state.

Buhari had visited the state on December 29 last year to inaugurate some projects including a new palace Governor Yahaya Bello built for the traditional ruler.

While the President was received by top government officials and foremost traditional rulers in the state, the royal father, who is the Vice President of Kogi State Council of Chiefs, was conspicuously absent.

The query signed by the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs of the ministry, Enimola A. Eniola, on behalf of the commissioner accused the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland of disregarding the persons and high offices of the President and the governor.

The royal father's action, the memo noted, was capable of bringing 'Kogi State and Ebiraland in particular to grave disrepute.'

The memo MLGA/CHI/30/VI/XX and dated January 5, 2023 reads: 'It has been observed with serious concern that you have exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to grave disrepute. These actions are quite unbecoming of a revered royal father of your status.

'Specifically, you were aware through many fora of the glorious visit of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to Okene on 29th December, 2022 to commission landmark projects executed by our dear governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

'In a flagrant disregard to the persons and high offices of...