News from Niger State
Double jeopardy as Niger Emirate rejects banished Kogi monarchs
***Ask gov Bello to resolve political issues with them
Niger State Emirate Council the supposed host for the three banished monarchs in Kogi State, has observed that their dethronement was orchestrated by political reasons hence the emirate cannot accept them on exile.
The council admonished outgoing gov Bello to settle the political differences he had with them.
This is coming after all the ruling Houses and three surviving kingmakers of Igu and Koton-Karfe Kingdom have rejected the deposition of
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq IsahKoto, the Ohimege-Igu, Koton-Karfe, recently by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
They described the action as a sacrilege on the Igu traditional institution
At a Press Conference held at the NUJ press center in Utako, Abuja on Sunday, the representative of the eight ruling houses and spokesperson Alhaji Kolo Yakubu Ameh said the purported Coronation of another person as Ohimege will not stand.
He called on the government of Kogi State to as a matter of urgencybreverse the purported deposition of Alhaji Abdulrasaq Gambo Sani Isakato.
Ameh added that the deposition of the reverred king was politically motivated saying that the coronation and installation of the Ohimege which took place 11 years ago was a cultural tradition not political.
It was gathered that the three deposed monarchs were yet to arrive exile in Niger, a week after they were removed from office as traditional rulers.
Monarchs who were dethroned are, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe who is the Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council. He was sent on exile to Rijau Local Government Council of Niger State.
The traditional ruler of Ogori-Magogo, His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa was deposed and exiled to Salka Emirate Council in Magama Local Government Council of Niger State.
While the traditional ruler of Ihima, His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi was removed from throne and sent on exile to Lavun in Doko Local Government Council of Niger State.
Our correspondent who visited the various emirate councils to confirm the arrival of the banished Kings on Wednesday discovered that they were yet to arrive their different emirate locations, as it was further gathered that the Niger State Emirate Council has rejected their exile to Niger.
A source within the palace of Etsu Nupe who spoke based on anonymity said feelers indicates that there is no place for any of the dethroned monarch in any emirate council in Niger.
He claimed that the Etsu Nupe would not subscribe to political mudslinging that led to the removal and exile of the three monarchs to Niger State.
According to him, the Emirate was yet to receive any official letter from Kogi State government in respect of the exiled Kings to the State, but said, when such letter comes, the Emirate was ready to reply and make a copy available to journalists.