In what many see as partly a backlash from the last November’s gubernatorial elections, the Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has deposed and replaced some prominent traditional rulers in the state.
He has also announced the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the Ohi of Okenwe as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, following the death of Atta Ado Ibrahim; while dissolving the state executive council as well as those of the 21 local government councils.
Replacements were named as transition chairmen for the local government areas, in what many see as clearing the path for the incoming governor, Ibrahim Ododo, as well as dealing with chairmen who did not deliver their areas in the last gubernatorial election.
At the state executive council meeting on Monday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the governor said the decisions were reached after due intervention by the Government to resolve the lingering controversies that had characterised the selection processes for the various stools.
The governor also announced the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir as the Maigari of Lokoja, 16 months after the death of its former occupant, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Maikarfi III.
Alhaji Dauda Isah was also named the Maiyaki of Kupa.
Bello based his decisions on the state traditional and chieftaincy laws, rules and regulations, though some observers based the developments on the political stance of two of the traditional rulers. Fingers were pointed particularly in the direction of the King of the Egbura Koto people in Koton-Karfe.
Recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost a supporter in the ancient town during the political campaigns of the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Ajaka, last year. The deposed Ohimege-Igu was queried partly over the development and because he was seen to be backing Ajaka.
But Bello 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.
“That similarly, on decision No. 3, the title “Obobanyi of Ihima” which reads on the promotion letter, upgrading the stool to First Class status, was done without cognisance to the fact that the title; “Obobanyi of Ihima” is a subject of litigation.
“And the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision, as such, the Government has however received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.
“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”, he said.
He announced the appointment of Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be turbaned immediately in replacement of Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, to avoid vacuum.
He said the replacement was based on 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.
Finally, going by the high court judgment of 1998, which give full recognition to Ododo as bonafide child of Ita’azi the father of Ebiraland and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebira land 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”, he said.