Tinubu, Atiku, Barau, Northern Governors, Ganduje, Melaye, Ajaka, Others Mourn Ohinoyi of Ebiralamd

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were among prominent Nigerians who, yesterday, condoled with the government and people of Kogi State over the demise of revered traditional ruler, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Majesty, Dr. Ado Ibrahim.

Others who offered their condolences to Kogi State were National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
They expressed their sympathies in separate statements yesterday.
The paramount ruler died yesterday at the age of 95 after a brief illness.
Tinubu, according to a statement issued yesterday by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said the death of the Ohinoyi was a painful loss. He described the late monarch as peace-loving, affable, and cerebral.

The president said in the statement, “The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was in a class of his own. He was highly respected and admired for his deep insights, wisdom, and sophistication. He had a masterful way of handling issues. He was very knowledgeable and wise.
“May Almighty Allah grant His Majesty Aljannah Firdaus.”
Tinubu said the people of Kogi State should take solace in the legacy of peace and fellowship left behind by the late monarch.
Similarly, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land.

Atiku wrote on his X account, “I am saddened by the news of the passing of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, in the early hours of today.
“It is even more saddening that the paramount ruler of Ebira land, a custodian of our traditional norms and an inspiration to his people, left us at this period of national crisis when his services are needed the most.

“I, on behalf of my family, commiserate with the people of Ebira land and the government and people of Kogi State over this loss.
“I pray that Allah, the benevolent and the merciful, will forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest in paradise.”
In a similar vein, Ganduje expressed shock over the demise of the traditional ruler.
Ganduje, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, said the first-class monarch, who died at a health facility in Abuja, ascended the throne of his forefathers on June 2, 1997.

The APC national chairman said Ibrahim lived his life for the growth of Ebiraland, in particular, and Kogi State and Nigeria, in general.
He noted that the fascinating life and journey of the late monarch were a testimony of his resilience, wisdom, and dedication to tradition.
He commiserated with the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, the immediate family of the late monarch, and the entire people of Kogi State for the loss.
Kogi State Branch, Council of Ulama’u of Nigeria, also commiserated with Bello, the families of the deceased, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, over the Ebira paramount ruler’s death.

The council also sent condolences to relations, Chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council, Chief Imam of Ebiraland, Shaikh Muhammad Salihu Abere, the entire Muslims in Kogi State, Nigeria and beyond over the demise of the traditional ruler. It asked the Almighty Allah to continue to shower His mercy upon him, forgive all his shortcomings, grant him Jannat Firdaus, and grant the Ummah the fortitude to bear the loss.

Barau equally extended condolences to the government and people of Kogi State. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau described the late royal father, who reigned for 26 years, as an outstanding promoter of peace and unity in the country.
He prayed to Allah SWT to grant the deceased, who was Vice Chairman of the Kogi State Traditional Rulers Council, Aljannah Firdaus.
He said in the statement, “There is no doubt that the Ohinoyi was a man of integrity, who spoke his mind and was always ready to defend the truth. He was a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian, who worked for the peace and development of the nation.”

Yahaya, who is Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the demise of the paramount ruler.
He stated, “Dr. Ado Ibrahim’s reign witnessed tremendous progress in his domain, leaving an indelible mark on the traditional and cultural heritage of the Ebira people. He was a cerebral leader of uncommon wisdom, humility and integrity.”
According to him, “The late monarch’s legacy of peace, honour, unity, and the preservation of cultural heritage will continue to inspire and guide the Ebira race, the northern region and Nigeria as a whole for generations to come.”
The Kogi State governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, described the death of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land as a calamity to the people of the state.
Ajaka said the passing of the monarch robbed the state of the bravest, most courageous, honest, forthright, and God fearing leader, who worked tirelessly for the unity of the people of the state.
He stated, “Our father is leaving at a time the state desperately needs his unifying guidance and wisdom to keep strengthening us as one indivisible people
“The last time I visited him, late Ado Ibrahim was as courageous as ever when he declared that been the oldest paramount ruler in the state every kogite is his child and he would not be intimidated by anyone to reject his own children.”
Due to the death, the SDP Campaign Council suspended all activities scheduled for yesterday, including a world press conference it had scheduled in Abuja.
“All SDP flags at our campaign offices throughout the state will fly at half-mast through this week in honour of our late king,” he added.