OHINOYI – EGBIRA THRONE AND THE SUCCESSION PROCESS.

By ABUBAKAR IKUNAIYE.

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”
~ John Wooden
The fact that Egbira Opete have been in the news recently across the world is not for the wrong reasons.
I think, it’s for good and not for bad or the ugly.
Firstly, we lost our revered King, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Dr. Abdulrahman Ado Ibrahim Atta III (of blessed memory). Though, his demise was very painful to all of us at home and abroad but we took solace from the extra-ordinary and highly fulfilled life he lived.
May the Almighty Allah forgive him of all his shortcomings and grant his gentle and ebullient soul eternal rest in perfect peace of Aljanatul-Firdaus! Amiiin Thuma Amiiin InSha’Allah Biiznillah 🙏
And again, we won the 2023 Governorship Election in Kogi State back to back. Though, not unprecedented but certainly unimaginable!Hence, we adore Almighty Allah and give Him the entire Glory. He alone is the Omnipotent and the Sole Owner of everything that exists.
Alhamdulillah Rabbil Al-Ameen 🙏
Now, on the issue of Ohinoyi – Egbira Throne and the Succession Process: I have listened to some voice notes and read through written submissions from different quarters in respect of this same subject of discussion. And one very interesting thing in all of these voices and writings is that nobody denied or argued the fact that Egbira Opete had no established Ruling Houses but only had five (5) existing Districts that all their original inhabitants are entitled to the ascension of the throne by birth. The Districts are; Adavi, Eganyi, Eika, Ihima and Okengwe.
However, the methodology adopted going by the Public Notice / Announcement released on Monday the 11th December, 2023 by the Kogi State Government for the Succession Process has given room for a logical debate based on these key areas;
(1) why the rush for succession?
(2) why was that “Supreme Court Edict” for succession in reference not made public by the State Government?
(3) Is throwing up the CALL for Succession to the Public for every dick and harry to apply a good option/idea?
The first two questions above are in themselves rhetorical. So I won’t say much about that.
My main concern here is in consonance with the last question above.
With all due respect to those who have indicated INTEREST in the Succession Process, I can’t really understand what our people have taken the issue of Ohinoyiship for!
When we talk about the OHINOYI of Egbiraland; we must agree and consider it as very essential! It’s most significantly a position that should be held in the highest esteem as far as our Society setting is concerned.
I read the article published online by Hon. Dr. Nasir Onujabe, a well-respected Abuja-based Public Affairs Analyst and also listened to the online advertorial from our Distinguished elder statesman, prolific writer and a committed Human Rights Activist Engr. Idris Sarki Enesi and amongst other meaningful submissions.
Historically speaking, it’s accepted that we do not have “Ruling House(s)” in Egbiraland neither do we have a specific “Heir” to our revered Ohinoyi’s Throne but that should not be enough reason to make mockery of or redicule the Throne where every Tom and Jerry will wake up from one corner of his room and decide to seek for “enthronement” as Ohinoyi of Egbiraland. That’s completely unacceptable!
In his popular book; “Animal Farm” George Orwell stated that “Animals are equal but some are more equal than the others.”
We cannot afford at this digital age to have a King with the appellation of “His Royal Majesty” while in character he is not different from an Indian Film “Charlie – Charlie. God forbid!
If the much-talked-about “Five Egbira Opete Districts” aka “Egbira Ozi Ehi” is that significant and adoptable, (same as rotational system) then Okengwe E’ehi and Adavi Districts should be automatically out of consideration. Leaving Eganyi, Eika and Ihima to be considered through a formalized NOMINATION METHOD and meticulous SCRUTINY.
For instance; if I’m from Ihima District and I decide to Nominate His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Aliyu popularly known as A.A. Oil; who happened to be a bonafide Son of the District, I will first of all approach him with high power delegation from the District to interface with him and if the need be persuade and convince him to the point of seeing the reasons why he should accept the “Clarion Call.”
Thereafter, I will write a letter of nomination (backed with his comprehensive profile) to the Egbira Area Traditional Council for further action.
The same pattern should be adopted by the other two Districts under consideration.
Just my candid opinion!
MY SUBMISSION
With all sense of responsibility, I strongly disagreed with any clumsy method of SUCCESSION to the revered Ohinoyi’s Throne!
Let the State Government publish the famous “Supreme Court Edict” for public consumption and better understanding.
This issue of SUCCESSION is fundamentally sensitive. So, it must not be politicized or trivialized.
Let us take a little more time to painstakingly search for a very genuine and befitting “Successor” through a brilliant and sophisticated method that will bring pride and honour to our highly respected Ohinoyi’s Throne.
Whatever is worth doing, must be done well!
Classical EXAMPLES:
(1) HRH Muhammad Saad Abubakar III (the 20th Sultan of Sokoto) is a retired Brigadier General.
(2) HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (the 51st Ooni of Ife) was a renowned Banker and International Business Mungul.
(3) HRH Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar (the 13th Etsu Nupe) is equally a retired Brigadier General.
(4) HRH Alhaji Ambassador Nuhu Bamali (the 19th Emir of Zauzzau) in Zaria is a Lawyer, Banker and Diplomat (3 in 1) of high repute.
And maybe more of them.
Therefore, we cannot afford to settle for LESS as far as the Great OHINOYI OF EGBIRALAND is concerned! Never!
MY APPEAL
I sincerely appeal to our respectable Members of Ebira Area Traditional Council saddled with the core responsibilities of the SUCCESSION PROCESS to be extremely careful and very diligent. They should remember that their good names and that of their families are at stake. This very tedious task before them is worthy of it’s sort, hence it must be done excellently well. Whatever happens at the end of the whole exercise history and posterity will be there to judge them.
MY PRAYER
I sincerely pray that may the Almighty Allah give us the very best of OHINOYI that will surely surpass his predecessor in great achievements for our most beloved Kingdom InSha’Allah Biiznillah.