Representatives of the eight ruling houses and three surviving kingmakers from Igu and Koton-Karfe Kingdom have strongly opposed the recent deposition of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq IsahKoto, the Ohimege-Igu, Koton-Karfe, by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
At a press conference held in Abuja, spokesperson Alhaji Kolo Yakubu Ameh expressed the collective sentiment that the act was deemed a sacrilege against the Igu traditional institution.
The ruling houses emphasized that the deposition, labeled as politically motivated, undermines the cultural significance of the throne, which was occupied by Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto for a commendable 11 years. Alhaji Ameh pointed out that the selection and installation of the Ohimege are rooted in cultural traditions, distinct from political appointments. The representatives voiced their concerns, stating that such an abrupt decision after a significant tenure raises questions of injustice and potentially compromises the integrity of the traditional institution.
Moreover, the representatives rejected any attempts to replace Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto with another individual, asserting that any purported coronation would not be recognized. They emphasized the cultural and non-political nature of the Ohimege position, distinguishing it as a cultural stool rather than a political office. The ruling houses called for a fair and factual assessment before taking any actions that could impact the longstanding traditions of the Igu community.
In a surprising move, Governor Yahaya Bello deposed and banished Ohimege Igu Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State on January 8, 2024. The representatives decried the lack of substantiated facts behind this decision and raised concerns about the involvement of politics in what should be a cultural and traditional matter.
IMAGE: Web
