By Gideon Njoku
“You are in the habit of not receiving me at the Airport on my return from Trips”, Gov Bello fired at the revered Ohinoyi
A foremost Traditional Ruler in Kogi State is about to be humiliated by the State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Bello says that the respected Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, has committed a couple of cardinal sins against him, his Government and the people of Kogi State.
One of the sins which has been counting against the Ohinoyi is not going to the Airport to stand and receive the youthful Governor each time he returned from a trip.
This was one of the issues raised against Dr Ibrahim in a query issued him to answer within 24 hours. It was dated 6th January 2023 and signed by a Director in the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enimola Eniola.
“It is on record that in time past, topmost Traditional Rulers, including the President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, do receive the Governor of the State on his return from critical missions undertaken on behalf of the State. But you have chosen to disdain the office of the Executive Governor, and this time, you did it with effrontery before the number one citizen of Nigeria.”, the query read in part.
Ohinoyi’s immediate problem began on 29th December, 2022, when President Muhammadu Buhari visited Kogi State to commission some projects executed by the Government under Bello. The Traditional Ruler did not go out to queue to receive the President. That day had started for him on a sad and tragic note.
That early morning, a bomb planted in front of the Ohinoyi’s Palace had exploded, and killed four people. Reports said that the Ohinoyi was so shattered and shaken that he couldn’t go to receive the President at the Airport.
However, that did not worry Bello. In the frame of mind the Traditional Ruler was, the Governor expected him at the Airport to receive Mr President. For being absent, in addition to his other sin of not receiving Bello on return from trips, the Governor ordered that he be queried.
The topmost Traditional Ruler was given 48 hours within which to answer the query, after which he might still be hauled before a Panel to answer questions.
The full text of the query reads:
“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.
“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 might interest you to note that official 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. It is on record that in time past, Topmost Traditional Rulers including the President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs do receive the Governor of the State on his return from critical missions undertaken on behalf of the State.
“But, you have chosen to disdain the office of the Executive Governor, and this time, you did it with effrontery before the number one citizen of Nigeria.
“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.
“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.”
Not a few people allege that the Governor has always been disrespectful of Traditional Rulers. The query to the Ohinoyi, they point out, is the limit of the Governor’s arrogance.
