Kogi State Government has queried the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Okene, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim, CON for refusal to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to Okene.
President Buhari was in Okene, Kogi State on the 29th of December 2022 to commission some landmark projects built by Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
In a letter signed by Enomola A. Eniola, the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was given 48 hours to explain the ‘insubordination and disloyalty’ to the office of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
It also made it clear that a panel will be set in which an oral explanation will be demanded from the Ohinoyi stating that the disloyalty portends grave danger for Traditional Institutions in the State.
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 December 29, 2022, to commission landmark projects executed by our dear Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji 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 the 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 institutions of the state.”
“Given 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.”
