Four traditional rulers, including a first-class traditional ruler, the Ohimege Igu, Konto-Nkarfe, and Alhaji Abdulrazaq Koto, have been deposed by the Kogi State Government. Koto has been banished to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State. Alhaji Salihu Seidu, popularly known as SAS, has been appointed by the state governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, to replace the deposed Ohimege, and he is to be turbaned immediately to avoid a vacuum. Alhaji Ahmed Anaje, previously the Ohi of Okenwen, has been appointed as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The governor’s address on the appointments, made shortly after a meeting with members of the state executive committee, states that, “Having followed through our Traditional and Chieftaincy Laws, rules and regulations and all the due processes, we have come to the following resolutions:”
– His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council is hereby removed and to be deposed to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
– His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo, is removed and to be deposed to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
– His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, is removed and to be deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
– The title “Obobanyi of Ihima” is a subject of litigation, and the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision. Therefore, the government has received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain the status quo until the court of law decides. The stool is hereby reverted to “Obobanyi of Ihima,” and the present occupant remains deposed.
– His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the Onu-Ife in Omala Local Government is to be suspended indefinitely.
The governor also added that some decisions were taken on some stools after due intervention by the government to resolve the lingering controversies that have characterised the selection process. The following appointments of the next occupants are made by the government:
– Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir is hereby appointed as the Maigari of Lokoja.
– Alhaji Dauda Isah is hereby appointed as the Maiyaki of Kupa.
– Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu, going by the selection decision of the Odaki Ruling House dated 27/4/2012 and endorsed by the Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, dated 14/5/2012, is hereby appointed as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be turbaned immediately to avoid vacuum.
– The stool of Ohi of Uhuodo is hereby created, and the process for the occupation of the stool is to commence with immediate effect going by the high court judgment of 1998, which gives full recognition to Ododo as a bonafide child of Ita’azi, the father of Ebira land, and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebira land with equal rights as others.