The Ebira community in Nasarawa state has called on office of the commissioner of Kogi state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, as well as other traditional stakeholders to investigate the alleged interference of the Ohinoyi’s Palace in the selection of Odeyani traditional title outside Kogi Central.
A statement signed by Chief Sadiq Momoh, Onoba Tundun Wada of Nasarawa state and Abdul Malik Salam, Elder Agweuvo community Karu on Saturday, and made available to newsmen in Lafia.
The group argued that outside influence disrupts local cultural customs and traditional succession processes within Nasarawa’s Egbira chiefdoms.
“We, the Ebira people in Lafia, hold the institution of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in the highest esteem. We will not allow a few desperate individuals to drag this revered institution into disrepute in their quest for personal recognition as Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa state,” it said.
“Turbaning and the issuance of certificates are solemn royal rituals performed within the palace of the Emir of Lafia, not casual gatherings at hotels with mere utterance in another king’s Kingdom.”
He stressed that if anyone finds the choice of Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar unacceptable, the proper channels are to make representations to the Lafia Emirate or challenge the Emir’s decision in a court of law.
He said that only Lafia emirate can endorse Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa state, noting that the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland does not have the authority to appoint, turban, or issue certificate 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 boundaries comparing himself to 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 Tussle in Nasarawa state.” “This claim is false,” the statement said.
The statement insisted that Ohinoyi did not resolved the leadership tussle in Nasarawa state as claimed by an online media outlet.
He said only Lafia emirate can endorse Odeyani Anebira in Nasarawa state, not Ohinoyi.
He said the matter was conclusively settled in 2024, when the Emir of Lafia Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad rtd. turbaned and issued a certificate to Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar, as the Odeyani Anebira, Lafia Bere-Beri.
“The report allegedly drew its information from the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, a development that is both unfortunate and regrettable if true.
“In a brief meeting, the Emir of Lafia personally informed the Ohinoyi that Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar is the recognised Chief (ODEYANI) of the Ebira people in the Lafia Emirate.
“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 earlier turbaned as Wokili Karu by the Etsu Karu as ODEYANI,” he said.
He added that such a statement represents an unroyal audacity and an attempt to undermine the authority of the Lafia Emirate, which found Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar worthy of the title, turbaned him, and issued him a certificate.
“As Ebira people who hold the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in high esteem, we will not tolerate any disrespect to 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 known that the Lafia Emirate, under the leadership of HRH Alhaji Yusuf Musa in 1968, recognised Adai Yusuf Agidi as Ohinoyi (now known as Odeyani).