In a dramatic move, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has announced the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the Ohi of Okenwen, as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the paramount ruler of the Ebira people. The governor also deposed four traditional rulers, including a first-class monarch, the Ohimege Igu, Konto-Nkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Koto, who was banished to Niger state.
The governor made the announcement on Monday, January 8, 2024, after a meeting of the State Executive Committee. He said the decision was based on the state’s Traditional and Chieftaincy Laws, rules and regulations, and due processes.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is a revered position that dates back to the 16th century, when the Ebira people migrated from Jukun in present-day Taraba state to their current location in Kogi state. The Ohinoyi is the custodian of the Ebira culture, religion, and history, and presides over the Ebira Traditional Council, which comprises of other traditional rulers and elders.
The appointment of Anaje as the new Ohinoyi comes after the death of the previous occupant, Dr Ado Ibrahim, who died at the age of 94 in October 2023. Dr Ibrahim was the longest-serving Ohinoyi, having ascended the throne in 1997. He was widely respected for his contributions to the development and unity of Ebiraland and Kogi state.
However, his successor, Anaje, faces a daunting task of winning the trust and support of the Ebira people, who are divided along political and ethnic lines. Anaje is seen as a loyalist of Governor Bello, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while many Ebira people are supporters of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Anaje’s appointment has also been criticized by some Ebira groups, who claim that he does not belong to the royal lineage of the Ohinoyi.
Anaje, who is a businessman and philanthropist, has appealed for peace and cooperation among the Ebira people. He said he is ready to work with all stakeholders to promote the welfare and progress of Ebiraland. He also thanked Governor Bello for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to uphold the dignity and honour of the Ohinoyi stool.
Governor Bello, on the other hand, has defended his decision to appoint Anaje and depose the four other traditional rulers. He said he acted in the best interest of the state and in accordance with the law. He also warned that his administration would not tolerate any act of indiscipline, corruption, or disloyalty from any traditional ruler in the state.
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