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Koton-Karfe Kingmakers rejects dethronement of traditional ruler
After few days, the Kingmakers of Igu and Koton-Karfe Kingdom have broken silence, rejecting the dethronement and banishment of Ohimege-Igu, Koton-Karfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, saying that they have never selected their king by political appointment.
The reaction followed the deposition of the monarch and banishment to Niger State by governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
Speaking at a press conference, at the NUJ Press Centre, Utako, Abuja on Sunday, all the ruling Houses and three surviving kingmakers of Igu and Koton-Karfe Kingdom described the action of the governor as a sacrilege on the Igu traditional institution which was unacceptable to them.
The spokesman for the ruling houses, Alhaji Kolo Yakubu Ameh said the purported coronation of another person as Ohimege will not stand, and called on the State government to reverse the purported deposition of Abdulrasq Isah Koto, which they claimed his deposition was politically motivated.
According to them, the installation of Ohimege 11 years ago was borne of cultural tradition, rather than political, insisting that his removal remain unacceptable to the Kingdom.
“After 11 years on the throne, you now came out to say that you want to depose the King without a fact. First year, second year, and now ten years after, this is injustice because politics is involved. We have never selected our king by political appointment.”
According to him, the reversal will save the age-long custom and traditions, from bastardization, particularly of their highly revered and respected Ohimege Igu Koton-Karfe Kingdom institution.
He said the deposition was an ugly political vendetta orchestrated by a few political Lilliputians with bloated images of their perceived personal self-worth.
The Ohimege Igu Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto who was also the Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council was deposed and banished to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on the 8th of January, 2024.
Reading from a text that was signed by the kingmakers, Ameh said,
“We the represensatives of all the ruling houses and the 3 surviving pout of the 4 kingmakers of Igu, Koton-Karge Kingdom Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State wish to state categorically and most unequivocally our total rejection of the purported deposition of Alhaji Abdulrazaq Gambo Sani Isa Koto as the Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe and Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area traditional council.
“We have also rejected the purported appointment of an Ohimege during a proclamation on television and on the social media on 8th January, 2024 and since thereafter.
“It’s pertinent to state that out of the three royal fathers that were purportedly deposed and banished it’s only Alh. Abdulrazak Gambo Sani Isakoto that was replaced immediately by that proclamation with the speed of light. This smacks of abitrariness and punitiveness.
“What has happened on this vexed issue is an anathema and a real mockery of our centuries long and reverred kingship institution of the Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe and which if not urgently addressed poses great and imminent danger to our well respected and highly acclaimed kingship institution and the peace and tranquility of our very old kingdom.
“It is therefore imperative to use this medium to intimate the kogi state government, its agents and the general public that the capricious proclamation is unacceptable and rejected in its entirety as it relates to our dear kingdom and the reverred institution of The Ohimege Igu, Koton-Karfe.
“At this juncture, we wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the willful, calculated and capricious aberration and desecration of our traditional kingship institution which the kogi state government has wittingly embarked upon with the unjust purported removal and the hasty appointment of an Ohimege in order to serve the interest of few political jobbers.
“We therefore certainly consider the abominable deposition of our loving and well respected Ohimege, Alh. Abdulrazaq Gambo Sani Isakoto as an ugly political vendetta orchestrated by some political lilliputians with bloated images of their perceived personal self-worth.
Bello in the exercise of his power as governor also deposed His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo whom he banished to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, was also removed and deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
In what was believed to be a fallout of the recently held governorship election in the State which the APC candidate was declared winner, the Governor who felt betrayed by some of the traditional rulers, came up with the decision to depose them as punishment for their alleged partisanship.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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