Politics

Kogi State Governor, Yayaha Bello, names new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, sacks four monarchs

Published by Fakinlede Tope John on January 9th, 2024.

Kogi State Governor, Yayaha Bello, names new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, sacks four monarchs

Yayaha Bello

The governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, on Monday, announced the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Anaje as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

This was as he also deposed a first-class traditional ruler and chairman of Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council Ohimege Igu, Konto-Nkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Koto and three others.

The FCG reports that no fewer than 75 persons, including a female professor, Angela Okatahi, the first female professor in Egbiraland, had applied for the vacant stool of the Paramount ruler of Egbiraland.

The 75 aspirants were later pruned down to seven.

They were a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu; a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Ataba Omolori; and a retired military general, Yusuf Amuda.

Others are Momoh Shaibu, Prof. Ibrahim Onuwe Abdulmalik, Dr. Ahmad Tijani Anaje and Mr. Ahmed Momohjimoh.

The Ohinoyi stool became vacant in October last year following the demise of 94-year-old Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim, who was the second Ohinoyi or the fourth independent traditional ruler of Ebiraland

Bello, at a meeting with the seven aspirants at the Government House, Lokoja on Saturday, urged them to support whoever was appointed by the government, noting that they were all qualified.

“I will urge all contestants against making divisive statements and actions capable of disrupting the peace of the land,” Bello said.

The sacking and appointment of the monarchs were made known after the state executive meeting in Kogi on Monday.

Also deposed were Sam Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo and Samuel Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani while Boniface Musa, the Onu-Ife in Omala Local Government was suspended, indefinitely.

The governor appointed Alhaji Salihu Seidu to take over from the deposed Ohimege.

Other new monarchs appointed were Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir as the Maigari of Lokoja and Alhaji Dauda Isah, as the Maiyaki of Kupa.