By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi State Government has rejected the reply to its query to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim on the ground that he used inappropriate title of “Atta Ebira” instead of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The paramount ruler has therefore been given 48 hours to re-submit his response to the query, with the appropriate title of the stool as recognised by Kogi State Chieftaincy Law 2006 and his letter of appointment.
A statement issued by the state government on Monday in Lokoja said that the monarch had, in his response letter marked: “Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33”, dated January 6, 2023, addressed himself as “Atta Ebira” instead of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
He was said to have been issued issued a query for his alleged untoward conduct during President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the state.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Ozigi Deedat, in a letter addressed to the monarch on Monday, noted that any correspondence with the Atta title was unacceptable for official purposes.
“I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33, dated 6th January, 2023, in respect of the above subject matter.
“And to inform you that the said letter under reference, which ought to be your response to a letter of query was not conveyed with the appropriate title of your stool as recognized by the Kogi State Chieftaincy law 2006 and your letter of appointment.
“The title of Atta Ebira is alien to law and not recognized by Government. Therefore any correspondence with that title is unacceptable for official purpose.
“Your personal decision to use the title of Atta Ebira and not Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in your official communication is at variance with sections 19a, 27(2b), 33 and schedules II and V of Kogi State Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and your letter of appointment issued to you with Ref. No. GHLK/KGS/22, dated 2nd June, 1997.
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to kindly re-submit your reply to the query with the appropriate title within 48hours to enable further necessary action to be taken.
“It is expected that Your Royal Majesty will respond accordingly, please”, the statement said.
It would be recalled that the monarch had allegedly disrespected the offices of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State when the President visited the State on Thursday December 29, 2022.
The President was in the state to inaugurate “Landmark Projects” executed by the current administration of Governor Yahaya Bello in the state.
Prominent indigenes of Ebiraland had, following the controversy generated by the state government’s query, flayed their traditional ruler on the issue, saying that monarchs must respect constituted authority “and not play God”. (Ends)