The visit, according to findings by Daily Independent, is meant to provide opportunity for the traditional rulers to endorse the governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to a document sighted by our correspondent, the monarchs departed Kogi at 12 pm on Tuesday.

However, tongues are already wagging in the state as some concerned citizens have claimed that the governor coerced the monarchs to accompany him to the meeting with the president.

In a statement signed by Rescue Kogi Movement, its spokesperson, David Ogwu, alleged that the governor financially induced the monarchs to follow on the trip “in order to create the impression that all the traditional rulers in the state wanted him to continue for another term in office.”

The group also alleged that monarchs who were reluctant to accompany him on the courtesy visit were threatened with deposition.

“We make bold to alert Nigerians on the sacrilege currently happening in Kogi State. We have first-hand information that Governor Yahaya Bello, who is desperately seeking a return to Lugard Government House, in his bid to secure the ticket of APC, has coerced our royal fathers to accompany him on a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa today so as to endorse him for a second term.

“Some of the monarchs who were reluctant were threatened with deposition or non-payment of their salaries by the governor when he returned from Abuja. He also told them to comply in their best interest as he was sure of an automatic ticket being the adopted first son of President Buhari.”

The youths also alleged that there was a frosty relationship between the governor and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland despite claims that the monarch had endorsed him for a second term.