Senator Karimi Debunks Myths in Egbe Traditional Crisis
…..Dissident Chiefs Lack Authority, Says Senator Karimi
Senator Steve Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has dismissed as baseless allegations leveled against him by a faction of chiefs led by Chief Doyin Bolaji over the Egbe traditional crisis.
In a detailed statement, the senator Karimi described the group as “dissident chiefs” stripped of authority by the Elegbe of Egbe, His Royal Majesty Oba Ayodele Irukera, Chairman of Yagba West Traditional Council.
“They represent only a tiny, inconsequential faction bent on destabilizing our community through unrest and needless litigation,” Karimi stated.He accused them of repeated insubordination, leading to their ban from the Egbe Traditional Council, and noted their multiple lawsuits against the very community they claim to represent.
The crisis stemmed from a 2024 dispute over the vacant Oba Ijalu stool. Karimi, who avoids traditional title matters, denied any involvement in the selection of Mr. Luke Sunday Olokun, which sparked unrest and arrests in Lokoja.
Post-release, the chiefs falsely accused him of masterminding their detention, a claim amplified on social media. “I instructed my lawyer to demand a retraction,” he said.
Religious leaders led by Rev. Babawarun, Canadian missionary Mr. Andy of Help International (backers of the Egbe Airstrip), Engr. Godwin Abayomi (GODAB), Major General Adeniyi (Rtd), Ambassador Rotimi, and Okun Development Association intervened for peace.
Chief Bolaji admitted wrongdoing with a private apology but refused a public retraction, citing custom.
Karimi sued for defamation but withdrew after a peace meeting convened by the Baale of Egbe, with Ambassador Rotimi present.
There, Bolaji apologized publicly, and Karimi urged an end to rebellion against the Elegbe and withdrawal of community lawsuits.
He dismissed claims of their N10 million legal spend as “concocted to mislead sympathizers.” Despite this, the group persisted in defiance and revived the allegations.
Karimi urged Kogi State Governor to investigate via police records, insisting facts prove his innocence.
He challenged: “If I had a hand in their arrest, may God punish me. If not, they face divine justice.”
Highlighting his record, he noted declining chieftaincy titles to focus on development, including leading the construction of Egbe’s modern palace, worth hundreds of millions, comprising the main palace, offices, and Oba’s residence.
The Elegbe moved in during last October’s Egbe Day, with the dissidents absent.
He also facilitated a military Forward Operating Base for security, boycotted by the group.
“Political jesters repackage a dead issue for points, but truth prevails,” Karimi concluded, vowing not to return to court but to counter falsehoods.
