By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
January 1, 2025
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, has urged traditional rulers in the state to be impartial in the execution of their ancestral responsibilities, emphasizing that partisanship can lead to discord among their subjects.
In a Press statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Unubi Emmanuel, His Excellency Comr Joel Salifu while addressing Traditional Rulers in his hometown Ejule, Kogi State advised the traditional leaders to steer clear of political affiliations and uphold their integrity for the overall peace and unity of their kingdom.
He emphasized that traditional institutions, being the closest authority figures to the people, are expected to uphold peace within their kingdoms. He mentioned that chiefs who engage in partisan politics often sow chaos and disharmony in the state. He likened traditional rulers to civil servants, highlighting the importance of being nonpartisan and demonstrating loyalty to every administration in power.
He affirmed that the current government will not tolerate any individual seeking to sow seeds of discord among the people, emphasizing that the prevailing peace in the state is non-negotiable.
He called upon traditional institutions to collaborate with the government to expedite development for their people, highliting the commitment of the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to fostering unity among the diverse tribes in the state.
Deputy Governor expressed gratitude for the visit and disclosed his plans to establish a committee dedicated to initiatives that promote unity within the Igala kingdom.
Earlier in his address, the Ejeh Ankpa and Chairman Ankpa Area Traditional Council, HRH Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu II, conveyed their congratulations to the Deputy Governor for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
He acknowledged that while traditional rulers remain nonpartisan, they wish to commend the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for meeting expectations, particularly in the areas of civil servants’ welfare, pensioners’ benefits, and ongoing infrastructural development across the state. He expressed pride in having their own as the Deputy Governor to a performing governor.
He advocated for increased collaboration between the government and traditional institutions to enhance the well-being of their subjects, urging the government to sustain its track record of effective governance.
