Nasarawa: Group calls for investigation into Ohinoyi’s alleged interference in Odeyani stock

The Ebira community in Nasarawa State has called on the office of the Commissioner of the Kogi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as other traditional stakeholders, to investigate the alleged interference of Ohinoyi Palace in the selection of the traditional title Odeyani outside Kogi Central.

A statement signed on Saturday by Chief Sadiq Momoh, Onoba Tundun Wada of Nasarawa State and Abdul Malik Salam, an elder of Karu’s Agweuvo community, and made available to journalists in Lafia.

The group argued that external influence disrupts local cultural customs and traditional succession processes within the Egbira domains of Nasarawa.

“We, the Ebira people of Lafia, hold the Ohinoyi institution of Ebiraland in the highest esteem. We will not allow a few desperate individuals to drag this venerated institution into disrepute in their quest for personal recognition as Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa State,” he said.

“The turbaning and issuing of certificates are solemn royal rituals performed within the palace of the Emir of Lafia, not casual encounters in hotels with simple expressions in the kingdom of another king.”

He stressed that if anyone finds the choice of Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar unacceptable, the appropriate channels are to lodge representations with the Lafia Emirate or challenge the Emir’s decision in a court of law.

He said only the Emirate of Lafia can approve Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa State, stressing that the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland has no authority to appoint, trouble or issue certificates for the position of Odeyani Anebira outside Ebiraland.

“Just as traditional rulers in Nigeria do not appoint ambassadors, a prerogative reserved for the president. Therefore, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland cannot unilaterally impose titles across state borders by comparing himself to the president,” he said.

He said the statement was in response to a claim by an online media outlet, which recently published a misleading report titled “Ohinoyi resolves leadership conflict in Nasarawa State”. “This statement is false,” the statement read.

The statement insists that Ohinoyi has not resolved the leadership dispute in Nasarawa State, as claimed by an online media outlet.

He said only Lafia Emirate can support Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa State, not Ohinoyi.

He said the matter was finally resolved in 2024, when the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad rtd. turban and issued a certificate to Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar, as Odeyani Anebira, Lafia Bere-Beri.

“The report allegedly drew its information from the Ohinoyi Palace of Ebiraland, a development that is both unfortunate and regrettable if true.

“In a brief meeting, the Emir of Lafia personally informed the Ohinoyis that Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar is the recognized leader (ODEYANI) of the Ebira people in the emirate of Lafia.

“It was therefore surprisingly sad to learn that the Ohinoyi reportedly told some Ebira visitors at his hotel in Lafia that he preferred Alhaji Yunusa Aliba – who was previously turbaned as Wokili Karu by the Etsu Karu as ODEYANI,” he said.

He added that such statement represents unreal audacity and an attempt to undermine the authority of the Emirate of Lafia, which deemed Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar worthy of the title, put a turban on him and issued him a certificate.

“As Ebira people who hold the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in high esteem, we will not tolerate any disrespect towards the traditional institution of the Lafia emirate

“Any individual or group of Ebira extraction in Nasarawa State who attempts to undermine the Lafia Emirate will face strong resistance and the full force of the law,” he said.

He concluded that “for those who respect history, it is worthy to know that Lafia Emirate, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Alhaji Yusuf Musa in 1968, recognized Adai Yusuf Agidi as Ohinoyi (now known as Odeyani).