Monarch disowns ex-lawmaker over petition row

The paramount ruler of Ebira-Mozum kingdom in Bassa LGA of Kogi State, Alhaji Khalid Bukar ll, the Oheogba of Mozum and his traditional council members have declared a former majority leader in the state House of Assembly, Alhassan Adakeke, a persona non grata in the kingdom.

The suspension of the ex-lawmaker was made known to newsmen yesterday in Lokoja.

Bukar said following a meeting with the Mozum traditional institution members, Hon. Adakeke is no longer being recognised as a son of the kingdom, as such, he ceases to enjoy any traditional or political benefit from the district.

The monarch hinged their decision to ostracise the former lawmaker over an alleged petition said to have emanated from him, indicting the paramount ruler, other chiefs, politicians and prominent persons of Ebira-Mozum extraction in the kingdom.

The monarch expressed concern that despite several entreaties made toward him to defend his petition, he failed to show remorse for his action.

In a swift reaction, the lawmaker stated that the monarch and his cabinet do not possess the moral right to disown him or an individual from the community.

“What they called an unsubstantiated petition was a joint report of the Bassa Local Government Area election management committee submitted to the state Elections Review Committee,” he said.