THE Kogi State government has issued a query to the Ohinoyi Of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim following his alleged failure to receive President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent one-day official visit to the state.
The President was on 29th December 2022 in the Confluence State to commission landmark projects executed by Governor Yahaya Bello. However, Alhaji Ibrahim was conspicuously absent.
Meanwhile, a memo issued to the royal father dated 5th January 2023 and signed by Enimola A.Eniola, Director, Chieftaincy Affairs on behalf of the Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the state government described the failure of the royal father to receive the President as “a flagrant disregard to the persons and high offices of the President and the Governor”.
The memo further states: “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 did 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 lays bad precedence for traditional institutions 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.”
Meanwhile, Eighteen-Eleven Media recalls that on the day the President visited, incidents of explosions were recorded in Okene killing at least three persons.
The news medium gathered that the explosion occurred early in the morning close to Oyinoyi’s Palace in the Okene Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred a few hours before the arrival of the President in the state.