Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has issued a query to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Alhaji Dr Ado Ibrahim, accusing him of insubordination.
Governor Bello described the failure of the foremost monarch to receive President Muhammadu Buhari when on an official visit to the state as a lack of courtesy for which the king must be punished.
In a query signed on behalf of the state government by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs and titled, “Letter of Query”, the state government stated, “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 reverend royal father of your status.”
The letter dated January 5, 2023, with reference no. MLGCA/CHI/30/VI/XX, from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Kogi State Government, reads, “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 and 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 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 and 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 lays bad precedence for the traditional institution of the State.
Given the above, I have been directed to request you forward a written explanation within 48 hours of 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.”
