Governor Ododo pardons, lifts suspension of Ojogba Ife

Suspension slammed on the Ojogba Ife and the Chairman of Omala Local Government Traditional Council, Chief Boniface Musa by the former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello has been lifted by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Bello suspended the Omala traditional ruler in Kogi East Senatorial District from office alongside that of Koton Karfe and other places three days to his handing over after a turbulent eight years in office on alleged misconduct.

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At a State Executive meeting presided by Governor Ododo, the lifting of suspension was approved and the alleged misconduct was pardoned, saying the embattled traditional ruler has shown remorse which Ododo said his administration was committed to reconciliation and unity.

Bello accused the traditional ruler of partisan politics having lost votes in Omala and other jurisdictions where he lost votes.

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Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Deedat Ozigi, highlighted the significance of the Council’s decision, noting that the pardon was a reflection of the administration’s commitment to unity and development.

Ozigi said: “A directive was issued by the Kogi State Executive Council for all Traditional Rulers to abstain completely from partisan politics, to refrain from all forms of influence that have the potential to drag them into the political arena .

“This is to enable them to have more attention to maintain law and order in their domain, unfortunately, some traditional Rulers in Kogi State faulted these directives and some of them descended into the political arena and involved in partisan politics thereby creating acrimony in their domains.

“Some traditional rulers were suspended and some were removed. However, we discovered a particular traditional ruler who expressed regret, remorsefulness , apologized and promised that he will not repeat the same action.

“Today, the afternoon the Kogi State Executive Council has lifted the suspension.”

“With this pardon, His Royal Highness Boniface Musa can now resume his duties as the Chairman of the Omala Local Government Traditional Council. The development is seen as a positive step towards healing and reconciliation in the community.

“The Executive Council finally announced the approval of two sub Traditional heads in the Bagana area of Omala Local Government due to the evacuation of the initial two traditional rulers that plunged Bagana into the devastated crisis.”

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