The Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, has dismissed social media reports surrounding a botched visit by former Senator Ahmed Ogembe, clarifying that the monarch retired to his chamber after hours of waiting for the politician.
The clarification was contained in a press statement issued by the Director of Protocol to the Ohinoyi, Chief Musa Usman, in response to public narratives regarding the scheduled audience.
According to the palace, Senator Ogembe’s campaign Director-General, Abdulmalik, had formally requested an audience with the monarch, proposing 12:00 noon for the visit.
The palace reportedly waived standard protocols and adjusted the monarch’s schedule to accommodate the request.
Chief Usman noted that despite the former lawmaker having never visited the palace since the current Ohinoyi’s ascension to the throne until launching his renewed senatorial bid, the monarch consented to receive him as a father to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The palace stated that the traditional ruler waited patiently until approximately 4:30 p.m. before retiring to his inner chamber, whereas Senator Ogembe and his entourage arrived shortly before 5:00 p.m.
Refuting alternative accounts circulating online, the statement emphasized that the monarch did not refuse to emerge from a bath, but had already waited for several hours past the agreed schedule.
The palace reiterated its political neutrality, noting that the traditional institution routinely hosts aspirants and officeholders across various parties, and urged the public to disregard deliberate distortions aimed at misrepresenting the monarch.
