Elders of Obaji Descendants Eika District in Okehi local government area of Kogi State have expressed appreciation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for the upgrade of three traditional stools in the district.
The spokesman of the elders, Chief Ahmed Haruna Osike lauded the governor and the Commissioner for Kogi State Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs Barrister Ozigi Salami at a press conference held in Lokoja on Thursday.
Chief Osike said the upgrade of Atimati-Ohemi stool to second class status , Ezu of Egiri to third class and Adamagu of Bobo to third class status would no doubt strengthened the existing unity and peace of the district.
While eulogizing the governor for the upgrade, the spokesman appealed to the state government to follow the traditional procedures of Eika district in appointing the next Ohi of Eika stool.
“We really appreciated Governor Yahaya Bello for the upgrade of our traditional stools. We are also appealing to the government to follow the root of Eika district because the district has 13 clans and there exist seniority in the appointment of Ohi of Eika the first class stool.
“It is the turn of Bobo sub-clan under the Obaji clan of Eika district to occupy the first class stool and we are appealing to the Commissioner of the state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs not to listen to voices that can dissuade him from doing the right thing in the interest of the people of the district.
Chief Osike who condemned the biased mind through which the Chairman of Okehi traditional council was ceded to Ihima district by the former governor of the state Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and his deputy then Philip Salawu at the detriment of Eika district that is the most senior, stated that the error should be corrected by the present administration in the interest of peace.
“It is on record how the former governor and his deputy distorted the arrangement because of selfish interest. They disorganized the laid down procedure in the hierarchy of the traditional stool in the local government area. We are appealing to Governor Bello to follow due process in the appointment of the new Ohi of Eika district” he pleaded.
