Senator Sunday Karimi, representing the Kogi West Senatorial District has denied allegation that he is interefering in, manipulating the process of, and influencing the reinstallation of Ighare of Ijalu stool in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government of Kogi State to favour a particular candidate, Mr. Sunday Oluokun.
Chief Adedoyin Bolaji, the Ighare of Okoa, has recently led a group of Chiefs and Monarchs to the Press in Lokoja, alleging Senator Karimi’s interference and harassment of some chiefs.
The Elders of Ijalu has in the same vein disowned Oba Adedoyin Bolaji and ‘his group’, accusing Senator Karimi. They accused the Ighare of Okoa for war mongering and misrepresentation.
They said Chief Adedoyin Bolaji, has for many years elevated himself to a rulership status in Egbe under undue interference into all manners of affairs in the community without iota of regards for the constituted paramount authority of Egbe; the Elegbe of Egbe.
They attributed Chief Bolaji’s outburst to the fact that recent developments and restructuring that formed the bases for communal commitments in the community did not pass through his, but through the undaunted and outstanding commitment of the Paramount Ruler, the Elegbe of Egbe, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Ayodele Irukera and the support of Senator Sunday Karimi and a host of sons and daughters of Egbe at home and in diaspora.
The Elders also said the selection of Mr. Sunday Oluokun as the Ighare of Ijalu, which Chief Adedoyin Bolaji was part of, has come to stay and that he should stop building wall of enmity between Pastor Biodun Daodu, and Mr. Sunday Oluokun.
The statement was signed by the following:
Chief Babalola Femi (Ologun of Ijalu), Chief Abayomi Oju (Agbana of Ijalu), Hon. Marcus Daodu ( Ijalu Ward Head), Elder Korede David Igunnu (Ijalu Ward Head), Chief Babatunde Owa (Kota of Ijalu ), and Elder Abayomi Ajayi Oga (Ward Elder) and had warned Chief Adedoyin Bolaji and his cohorts from instigating crisis in the community.
Meanwhile, Senator Sunday Karimi in a statement released earlier has said those calling his names are only attempting to achieve cheap popularity, emphasizing that he has no personal interest in who occupies the chieftaincy position in Egbe, nor does he plan to interfere in such matters.
Senator Karimi expressed that his primary responsibility is to provide quality representation for all the people of Kogi West Senatorial District while fulfilling his legislative duties at the National Assembly. He stressed that interfering in community matters that already have established rules and regulations regarding succession would be a disservice to his constituents.
Senator Karimi further highlighted that he represents eighty-five wards and numerous communities at the national level. He questioned how it would make sense for him to abandon his larger responsibilities for a matter that should be resolved by the community elders.
Chief Adedoyin Bolaji had also alleged that, Senator Karimi sent thugs to attack, harass and intimidate them at the residence of Pastor Biodun Daodu in Egbe, damaging vehicle(s), while some individuals may have sustained injuries.
The senator concluded by urging the public to recognize that he does not engage in any form of violence, thuggery, or other social vices, and he has certainly not sent any thugs to attack anyone over the chieftaincy dispute. He reiterated that the people should focus on resolving their issues without involving his name.