Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje – Ohinoyi of Ebiraland Verified listing

Ascension to the Throne
Following the passing of Alhaji AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim, who served as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland from 1997 until his death in 2023, a process to select the next traditional ruler took place involving kingmakers and traditional stakeholders. In early January 2024, Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje was appointed as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland by the then Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. His appointment was formally marked as he took on the role of paramount ruler of the Ebira people, with responsibilities for unity, cultural preservation, and community leadership.

Controversy and Legal Challenges
Shortly after his appointment, the selection of Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje as Ohinoyi became the subject of legal dispute. In February 2025, a Kogi State High Court nullified his appointment, ruling that the process did not comply with established traditional and legal procedures for selecting the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The judgment ordered that he cease to parade himself as the traditional ruler. The State Government, along with Anaje, subsequently filed an appeal and obtained a stay of the court’s order, pending the outcome of the appeal before a higher court.

Role and Significance
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is esteemed as the spiritual and cultural leader of the Ebira people, a major ethnic group in Kogi State and central Nigeria. The holder of this title plays a central role in preserving traditional customs, mediating conflicts, and representing the community in cultural and civic matters. The throne of Ohinoyi has historically rotated among major Ebira clans, reflecting the communal approach to traditional succession.