Following his failure to extend a warm welcome to President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to the state, the Kogi State Government has threatened to take disciplinary action against the supreme traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim.
Enimola Eniola, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, issued the threat in a letter to the monarch accusing him of taking deliberate actions and displaying attitudes that could bring Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to serious disrepute.
The letter which was seen by Peoples Gazette on Friday stated that Mr Ibrahim refused to come out and greet the president at the designated venue, which had been approved by Governor Yahaya Bello.
“It has been observed with serious concern that you have exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to grave disrepute. These actions are quite unbecoming of a revered Royal Father of your status,” the letter read.
“Specifically, you were aware through many fora of the glorious visit of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to Okene on 29th December, 2022 to commission land mark projects executed by our dear Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello. In a flagrant disregard to the persons and high offices of the President and the Governor, you bluntly refused to come out and receive the President at the designated venue rightly approved by the Executive Governor of the State,” it added.
Further pointing to the monarch’s purported misdeed, Mr Eniola argued that courtesy demands that “when a personality of a President occupying the highest office in the land is visiting or even passing through the State, the Governor and top Public Officers including topmost Traditional Rulers are expected to receive him as a mark of respect for him and the Office he occupies.”
The Kogi State government charged Mr Ibrahim with making a conscious decision to despise the position of executive governor and claimed that the traditional leader acted disrespectfully by failing to welcome the country’s number one citizen.
“This action of yours is an act of insubordination and disloyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the entire Ebira nation as a whole. It portends grave danger to the Security of the State and laying bad precedence for Traditional Institution of the State,” the query further read.
“In view of the above, I have been directed to request you to forward a written explanation within 48 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for these acts of insubordination and disloyalty. Oral explanations may be required from you when a panel is set up to study your case. It is expected that you will accord priority to the content of this letter, Your Royal Majesty.”
A bomb blast had shaken the palace of the monarch a few hours before Mr Buhari’s visit. No fewer than four persons were killed in the explosion while many were injure.
The Kogi government query did not reflect concerns for the wellbeing of the Ohinoyi at the time of Mr Buhari’s visit.
SOURCE: PEOPLES GAZETTE
