In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Alhaji Yunusa Sule, the Secretary of Ebiraland Traditional Council, clarified the reason behind the exclusion of the only female contestant, Professor Angela Okatahi, in the race for the vacant Ohinoyi of Ebiraland stool.
According to Yunusa, the number of contestants would have been 71, but tradition dictates that a female, specifically Professor Angela Oregwu-Okatahi, is ineligible to vie for the prestigious position.
Yunusa elaborated that the 70 eligible contestants hail from four of the five eligible districts in Kogi: Okengwe, Ihima, Eika, Eganyi, and Adavi. However, Adavi district is excluded from the race as it was the late Ohinoyi’s place of origin.
The secretary emphasized that the screening process adheres to Edit 97 (3), established by former Military Governor Col. B.L. Ofakeriya, and the Chieftaincy Law of June 2006, enacted by the state government.
Among the 70 applicants set for screening, notable figures include former Deputy Governor Philip Salawu, former Clerk of the National Assembly Ataba Sani Omolori (Ciroma of Ebiraland), Brig. Gen. Yusuf Abubakar Amuda, and HRH Dr. Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the Ohi of Okengwe.
