Kogi LG boss absolves self over crisis in domain

THE administrator of Okehi local government area in Kogi State, Abdulraheem Ohiare, on Wednesday said he was not responsible for the violence and crises that have been rocking the Ihima axis of the local government.

The administrator made this clarification in his office at Obangede while reacting to an allegation by a traditional ruler from Ihima district, His Royal Highness, the Obobanyi of Emani, Chief Samuel Adai Onimisi, that he was fuelling crisis in the district.

Ohiare, who expressed surprise over the allegation and publications, said instead of levelling unfounded allegations against him, the royal father should accept guilt for his inability to call his Emani people to order.

While tracing the genesis of the recent crisis to alleged political activities by a Kogi central senatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Natasha Akpoti, who hailed form Emani clan, the administrator regretted that various patronages to the clan by the present administration were never reciprocated.

ALSO READ: 2019 election results: Number of accredited voters and total votes cast didn’t add up — INEC

He then called on Emani youths involved in the crisis and Ihima district, in general, to embrace peace and continue to live in harmony with one another.

Ohiare, who lauded the role of security agents who promptly bringing the crisis to a halt, the administrator called on youths who are in illegal possession of arms in the area to submit them to the police or face the wrath of the law.

He seized the opportunity to call for peaceful conduct during and after the elections.

It would be recalled that the local government area had in recent time been engulfed in a political crisis with Akpoti accusing the administrator of instigating violence in the area.

The development reached the climax when women from the area embarked on protests and called on those concerned to withdraw the arms distributed to their children.