There are many Obas in Akure North but only the trio of Oloba, Okiti and Ogbolu are the issue, yet there cannot be more than one paramount ruler in a given such influential kingdom, The DEFENDER reports.
The Yoruba Obas under the Paramount Rulership of Deji of Akure Kingdom, who play insubordination to the prominent king, have been told the consequences of their actions as they continue to present themselves as agents of disunity destroying the existing order that makes such kingdom a strong institution.
This is as 40 Olus in Akure North, one of the four Local Governments covered by traditional jurisdiction of the Deji turned against the Obas in the local area and pledged their loyalty to the Akure chief monarch, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II.
The Olus were talking just as Akure sons and daughters across Nigeria are beginning to say “enough of the show of shame by those Obas”, who are mainly the Oloba of Oba Ile, Okiti of Iju and Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, the trio being core communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State and whose activities are had caused the setback suffered by the Kingdom until the coming of current Deji.
One of them said the behaviour of the three Obas, which have no positive contribution but negative to the division moving forward is beginning to prove wrong, those who hitherto blamed Ekiti for the problem of old Ondo State as, according to him, Ekiti has been moving forward ever since with its development almost passing the New Ondo whose seat Akure represents.
In their entirety, they are asking the Akure North monarchs to bury their pride and queue behind the Deji and support him with robust ideas and suggestions that his Paramount Rulership requires to achieve fast growth for the kingdom, especially now that he has attracted quality friends and projects to the Akure Division.
Akure Kingdom, like the Ile-Ife, Oyo, Egba and Ijebu, has its jurisdiction spread over four Local Government Areas namely Akure South where the traditional institution headquarters sits, Akure North, Idanre and Ifedore Local Government areas.
There are many Obas in Akure North but only the trio of Oloba, Okiti and Ogbolu are the issue, yet there cannot be more than one paramount ruler in a given such influential kingdom, The DEFENDER reports.
Concerned about the setback obviously from the insubordination of those monarchs, 40 of the Olus in the council area over the weekend pledged their loyalty to Oba Aladetoyinbo, the Deji of Akure, saying he remains the prescribed and consenting authority over Minor Chiefs, Olus, Baales and Olojas in Akure North.
They therefore advised the feuding lesser monarchs who operate under the umbrella of the Chieftaincy Committee, Akure North Local Government Area, to stop misleading or causing confusion that the Deji’s prescribed authority had been abolished.
The 40 Olus, under the chairmanship of Chief Adinlewa Adeniyi, the Obalogun of Igoba and vice chairmanship of Chief Dayo Omoniyi, a pharmacist and the Olu Ajapada, made their position known in a press statement jointly signed and made available to The DEFENDER via electronic transmission, find it strange to believe of many Obas under the Akure kingdom, only three talk about abolished authority.
Our checks showed that the Chieftaincy Committee, Akure North Local Government Area had five days before the Olus’ press release had issued a press statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Okiti of Iju, Oba Amos Farunkanmi; the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Joseph Agunbiade and the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, in which they cautioned the Deji of Akure to desist from what they described as further provocative, reckless and aggressive acts of removing and imposing Olus and minor chiefs in the council area in clear violation of the state government’s white papers, traditional and various courts’ judgements.
However the 40 Olus said it is a gross contradiction of historical fact and indeed illogical for any monarch in Akure North to challenge the prescribed authority of the Deji of Akure under any guise.
They opined that, “It is either that he has a shallow knowledge of the history of Akure, chose to play to the gallery, or both. It is therefore an act of dishonesty and an attempt to distort facts and history.
“We want to say without mincing words that the Olus in Akure North recognise the Deji of Akure Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi as the only prescribed authority for the installation of minor Chiefs in line with the Judgment, tradition and customs of our Land.
“Therefore, we are solidly behind him (Oba Aladetoyinbo). We urge the public to disregard all the misinformation presented by some monarchs in Akure North.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the monarchs in Akure North are either ignorant of the law of the land or chose to ignore it to their own detriment.
“It is illogical to state that prescribed authority has been abolished, this is laughable. We urge them to update themselves with the position of the state government and the relevant chiefs law of the state,” the 40 Olus said.
They also maintained that Chief Ojo Boboye remains the recognized Olu of Eleyowo.
Read below the full text of the Press release by the 40 Olus:
PRESS RELEASE
A PRESS STATEMENT BY THE OLUS IN AKURE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA – THE DEJI REMAINS THE PRESCRIBED AND CONSENTING AUTHORITY OVER MINOR CHIEFS, OLUS, BAALES AND OLOJAS IN AKURE NORTH.
The attention of the Olus in Akure North Local Government have been drawn to the erroneous and wilful distortion of facts in a joint press statement issued by His Royal Majesties, Oba J. O Agunbiade
(The Oloba of Oba-Ile), Oba Idowu Faborode
(The Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu) and Oba Amos Farunkanmi
(The Okiti of Iju) which was published in the Nation Newspaper of 5th May, 2020 and some online media.
2. We wish to state categorically that with utmost respect for the stool of all the Traditional Rulers involved, from all intents and purpose, the content of the press statement remains a mere fabrication, mischievous, malicious, misleading, unwarranted and an affront to the exalted stool of the Deji of Akure Kingdom.
3. It is regrettable and pitiable that some monarchs in Akure North could attempt to distort history, tradition, custom and norms to cause disaffection and resort to cheap blackmails for whatever motives.
4. We would have ignore the tissue of lies contained in their press statement safe the need to set the record straight and to inform the public that the Akure kingdom cannot be divided under any guise by people who wanted us divided because of their selfish and pecuniary gains.
5. We want to say without mincing words that the Olus in Akure North recognise the Deji of Akure Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi as the only prescribed authority for the installation of minor Chiefs in line with the Judgment, tradition and customs of our Land. Therefore, we are solidly behind him. We urge the public to disregard all the misinformation presented by some monarchs in Akure North.
6. For the avoidance of doubt, the monarchs in Akure North are either ignorant of the law of the land or chose to ignore it to their own detriment. It is illogical to state that prescribed authority has been abolished, this is laughable. We urge them to update themselves with the position of the state government and the relevant chiefs law of the state.
7. It is a gross contradiction of historical fact and indeed, illogical for any Monarch in Akure North to challenge the prescribed authority of the Deji of Akure in any guise. It is either that he has a shallow knowledge of the history of Akure, chose to play to the gallery, or both. It is therefore an act of dishonesty and an attempt to distort facts and history.
8. We wondered why traditional rulers will attempt to desecrate their stool by wilfully peddling falsehood without restraint. It is on record that the Oloba of Obaile and Asinigbo had sued the Deji on behalf of themselves and the Monarchs in Akure North Local Government in a suit No AK/28/2017. They were in court to challenge the prescribed powers of the Deji of Akure as for the appointment and installation of minor Chiefs (Olus, Baale and Olojas) in Akure North.
9. It is no longer news anymore that they lost the case via the judgment delivered by Justice W.A Akintoroye on 28th March, 2018.
10.For clarity of purpose, the court as per page 42 of annexure “A” are:
a. “That from time immemorial, the entire Akure land had been under the hegemony of the Deji of Akure. By virtue of the said position, the Deji was the paramount ruler over the entire Akure land, as well as being the consenting authority.
b. That prior to the bifurcation of the Akure Local Government, the Deji of Akure by virtue of his position as the prescribed authority over the land, was empowered traditionally and in law to appoint and consent to the appointment and installation of minor chiefs within the land
c. That since the bifurcation of the Akure Local Government, the State Government has not appointed a prescribed authority for the Akure North Local Government”.
We are shocked that respected monarchs could deny this open fact just to confuse the public and act against their conscience to curry public sympathy.
11. We, therefore, considered all their write up as fallacy with no iota of truth which should be ignored by all well meaning sons and daughters of Akure Kingdom and the general public at large.
12. We will also like to clear the air that Chief Ojo Boboye remains the Olu of Eleyowo. We wish to appreciate the Police Command of Ondo State under the able leadership of Commissioner of Police Undie Adie for intervening and acting professionally to stop the illegality being perpetrated by Mr. Olomi Agunbiade.
13. We are fully aware of the futile attempt by some monarchs in Akure North Local Governments to distort the age long history of Akure kingdom. We sincerely urge them to retrace their steps and return to base. We are equally aware of their adventure to the court of Appeal against the judgment of Justice W.A Akintoroye. While we considered their rights to challenge the judgment, we considered it a misadventure, unnecessary and a face saving approach from self inflicted injuries.
14. There is no argument on the desirability of living together in amity as a Kingdom. However, We cannot afford to allow personal interest, ego or politics to divide us any longer.
15. We the Olus in Akure North Local Government hereby reaffirm our total loyalty, commitment and unalloyed support to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom.
16. We hereby urge our remarks Monarch in Akure North from making further inflammatory and inciting statements that may cause disharmony among the citizenry and good people of Akure Land.
In addition, we appeal to our respected Monarchs in Akure North to act within the ambit of the law and desist from any attempt to disturb or jeorpadize the peace we are enjoying in Akure North Local Government and the entire Akure Kingdom by their careless and reckless statement.
17. Above all, we stand by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II and on the side of the law and the age long tradition of Akure Kingdom.
We wish to reiterate that the position of the Akure North Local Government Monarch to us, is null and void and of no effect.
18. As for us, we will continue to pursue peace and development in our respective domains, Akure North Local Government and the entire Akure Land.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Signed;
1. Chief Adinlewa Adeniyi – Obalogun of Igoba (Chairman)
2. Chief (Pharmacist) Dayo Omoniyi – Olu Ajapada (Vice Chairman)
3. Chief Niran Adedipe – Olu Ajagbusi
4. Chief Adeniran Aladetoyinbo – Oriade of Alayere
5. Chief Sule Ojo – Olu Ayetoro (PRO)
6. Chief Akinola Adeseye – Olu Ode Igede
7. Chief Sunday Adebayo – Olu Abo Asakin
8. Chief Samuel Aliu Adegbehingbe – Olu Imafon
9. Chief Elijah Eleyineko – Olu Ala
10. Chief (Engr.) Jide Fadahunsi – Olu Daada
11. Chief M. Aboluwoye – Olu Ileyo
12. Chief William Akinyemi – Olu igushin
13. Chief Akinsehinde Adanri – Olu Igbatoro Olobi
14. Chief Babatunde Olasoji – Olu Bolorunduro
15. Chief Johnson Ojo – Olu Bolorunduro Ofosu
16. Chief Oluwadare Olatunde – Olu Itedorere
17. Chief Ologunmeta Adebo – Olu Oluwatedo
18. Chief Jimoh Dare – Olu Odin
19. Chief Ajayi Ogunlalaka – Olu Ajegunle 1
20. Chief Ayodeji Omolade Adesua – Olu Olorunsogo
21. Chief Sunday Awopetu – Olu Agunla
22. Chief Gbenga Adeniyan – Olu Orisunmibare
23. Chief Sunday Ademoye – Olu Odundun
24. Chief Gabriel Adedayo – Olu Irepodun
25. Chief Ojo Boboye Adekunle – Olu Eleyowo
26. Chief Titus Adesida – Olu Ilutoro
27. Chief Bankole Esho – Olu Tedibomi
28. Chief Joseph Fayo – Olu Adesina
29. Chief Olu Sani Aderemi – Olu Sani
30. Princess Adelowo Kemisola – Regent Ademekun
31. Chief Rotimi Omotosho – Olu Arakale
32. Chief Raphael Ijalade – Olu Omoluorogbo
33. Chief Adeseyi Aladetoyinbo – Olu Ogunlade
34. Chief Remilekun Sunday Abioye – Olu Kajola
35. Chief Adeoye Aladetoyinbo – Olu Ajegunle II
36. Chief Fayehun Adesanya – Olu Ifetedo
37. Chief Mekaisi Folahan – Olu Ilado Elemo
38. Chief Fatai Oyelade – Olu Ido-Anu
39. Princess Dupe Afe – Regent Abusoro
40. Princess Odunola Afolarin – Regent Osupa
