Sequel to the recent creation, grading and upgrading of some traditional titles in Kogi State by the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello on the 27th of September, 2023, I have taken time to ponder on the merits or otherwise of that move, as well as, the timing.
The title of Ohinoyi of Ebira land is to the understanding of Kogites, the Paramount title of the great people of Ebira ethnic extraction. Alh. (Dr) Ado Ibrahim, is the 3rd occupant of the revered stool. The title of Ohinoyi has been so revered and reserved for only the traditional leader of the Ebira people. The closest other titles can come in semblance of name is OHI, an appendage to Ohinoyi who is adjudged to be the overall traditional leader of the people. And before now, it is the exclusive recommendation of the Ohinoyi to the State Government before anyone was crowned OHI.
Today, in the outgoing administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, an Ebira himself, Kogi State not only has Ohinoyi in Kogi Central where Ebira people are dominant but, in 4 other LGAs of Kogi West (Kabba, Ijumu, Lokoja and Kogi-Koto) where the Okun are dominant and in one LGA of Kogi East (Bassa) where the Igala are dominant.
Kogi State has had distinguished sons of Igala extraction lead for 16 years. But at no time was it contemplated by the Igala Governors to decimate, denigrate and reduce the traditional powers of Ohinoyi of Ebira land to nothingness by creating semblance of the title all over Kogi State or make moves to land-grab any Okun speaking territories.
There was equally never a time when Igala Governors spat arrogantly in the faces of Okun people by appointing people of other ethnic groups to Chieftaincy positions right in their own territories.
To guide against that, the past Igala Governors consulted with the 3 paramount rulers of the 3 Senatorial Zones before stools were upgraded and on most of their decisions pertaining to their land.
There was never a time Governors of Igala extraction unilaterally created traditional stools/titles. The most they did was upgrade of existing ones and even those were based on the recommendations of the 3 Paramount rulers (Ata Igala, Ohinoyi and Obaro of Kabba).
It is therefore evident that having imposed an unpopular person on members of the APC and with the massive rejection that has greeted the APC ticket, coupled with his government’s abysmal performance for almost 8 years, Governor Yahaya Bello is desperately looking for shoulders to lean on to prosecute his 3rd term agenda and perpetuate himself on the treasury of Kogi State with a view to aiding his 2027 Presidential ambition by creating semblance of Ohinoyi title all around Kogi State, underserved grading and upgrading of Chieftaincy titles of less than 10 years to 1st Class among others.
It is my suspicion therefore, that Governor Bello through Ododo aims to create Ohinoyi titles in every LGA of Kogi State in the nearest future to completely weaken the revered stool of Ohinoyi of Ebira land.
It was recently rumoured that, Yahaya Bello created a new stool last year in Okene and graded it 1st Class so that he could ascend to it after office to create a new dynasty for himself and his clan in Ebira land.
With this brazen aberration and insult on the collective traditional intelligence of Okun and the Ebira people, it is safe to admit all the rumours are true.
It is equally safe to say that, Governor Yahaya Bello has lost his grip on power even with at least 5 months to the expiration of his cruel tenure.
To is more like the last kick of a dying Lion.
It is left to fearless traditional and political leaders of thought in Ebira land same as Okun land to rise to the occasion to reject Yahaya Bello and his evil team NOW for tomorrow may be too late.
Safe Kogi State!!!
