The Kogi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has fired back at Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim CON on his response to the query issued to him by the Ministry, for his deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebiraland to grave disrepute during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari on 29th, December 2022 to Okene.
It was recalled that the Ministry gave the monarch 48 Hours to reply to the query by providing a written explanation why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for the act of insubordination and disloyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigerian, the Executive Governor of the State and Ebira nation at large.
Responding to the query, dated 6th, January 2023 the monarch made it known to the Ministry that there was no official letter informing him about the visit of Mr. President to his home town. The monarch further stated that he was informed at about 9:30 pm on 28th, December 2022 that the president will be coming over to commission some projects executed by His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
Dr. Ado Ibrahim said he was not officially informed of the existence of any new Palace which will be commissioned by the president.
“This implied that Mr. President was to commission another Palace other than my current Palace that I have been occupying since I was coronated in 1997."
In the query, the monarch said he have no intention to exhibit deliberate attitude and actions regarded as bringing Kogi State and Ebiraland to grave disrepute and regarded therefore as quite unbecoming of a revered Royal Father of his status. The monarch referred to the letter of the Ministry especially Paragraphs 3 and 4 as very unfortunate and he regard the same as unfair to his ripe experience and age coupled with his candid, Royal dignity, accepted here in the world internationally.
It was also on record that on 29th, December 2022, there was a bomb blast that led to the intended disruption of Mr. President’s program, loss of lives and properties of the Ebira people, which also damaged the Ohinoyi Palace. The monarch stated that the query was the first communication, written or otherwise from any official of the state to him, without commiserations or enquires about the ugly incident.
The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs responded to the letter of the monarch that it does not convey the appropriate title of his stool as recognized by the Kogi State Chieftaincy law 2006 and his letter of appointment.
This response was dated 16th, January 2023 and signed by the Honourable Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Salami Momodu Ozigi Deedat.
Barr. Salami said the monarch's personal decision to use the title of Atta Ebira and not Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in his 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 the letter of appointment issued to the monarch with Ref. No. GHLK/KGS/22 dated 2nd, June 1997.
“The title of Atta Ebira is alien to law and not recognized by the government. Therefore any correspondence with that title is unacceptable for official purposes."
The Hon. Commissioner gave the monarch another 48 hours to re-submit his response to the query with the appropriate title for further action to be taken.