By Our Correspondent
The Kogi State Government has issued a query to His Royal Majesty (HRM) Ohimege-Igu Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Gambo Isa Koto, Chairman of the Kogi Local Government Area (LGA) Traditional Council, for allegedly engaging in partisan politics during the recent gubernatorial election.
The query, signed by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Salami Momodu Ozigi Deedat, states that HRM Ohimege-Igu’s actions violated his expected role as a neutral and impartial traditional ruler.
In the query letter sighted by SummitPost on social media, the government cited specific instances where HRM Ohimege-Igu is alleged to have openly supported a particular political candidate and engaged in activities that could have compromised the electoral process.
The letter further states that the monarch’s actions “endangered the security of your domain to the extent that crisis erupted under your watch that led to the death of an innocent young lady in addition to several others that were wounded.”
The government has given HRM Ohimege-Igu 48 hours to respond to the query and explain his actions. Failure to provide a satisfactory response could result in disciplinary action against the monarch.
The Kogi State Government’s query to HRM Ohimege-Igu highlights the delicate balance that traditional rulers must maintain between their traditional roles and political involvement.
Traditional rulers are expected to remain neutral in political matters and act as unifying figures within their communities. However, they also have a responsibility to speak out on issues that affect their people.