Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has urged all interested parties to the traditional stool of Maigari of Lokoja, to exercise patience as his administration would only do things in accordance with the laws of chieftaincy in the State and Nigeria.
The governor said by law, any vacant chieftaincy position through death is supposed to have a mourning period of three months and that his administration would respect that provision of the law.
Bello was speaking in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital city, at the seventh day fidda’u prayer conducted for the peaceful repose of the soul of late Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III.
Governor Bello, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdulsalam Ozigi Deedat, enjoined those already jostling for the position to calm down and allow necessary consultations and due process to be observed.
In his words, “As a government, we would implore all that are already jostling for the post to remain calm and allow us mourn the passing of our father and peaceful royal father, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Muhammadu Kabiru Maikarfi III.
“In due time, his successor would emerge. But for now, let us observe the provision of the law which says we should give three months mourning grace to deceased traditional rulers, especially someone of the Late Maigari’s calibre.”
The governor, who prayed Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljanat Firdous, noted that the deceased traditional ruler was a man of peace and tranquility, whose reign was characterised by harmonious relationships among citizens and inhabitants of Lokoja.
He prayed that anyone that would succeed him, would emulate his dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups, religions and other elements that make up Lokoja.
He urged Muslim scholars and other faithful to continue to pray for the deceased, saying that his life was exemplary and that he would be sorely missed.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwunmi and the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Usman Ogbo, expressed grief over the royal father’s demise and prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest.
