BREAKING: Gov Aiyedatiwa breaks silence on Deji of Akure’s created crisis with Isinkan, says Iralepo has rights of appeal
*Tells monarch, "This fighting of other communities over land must stop" *Urges him on need to obey law of the state
By KEMI KASUMU
“Kabiyesi, we must accommodate others. We must obey the rules and regulations of this state. We must obey the law of the land. Even when there are court judgments, the other parties have their rights to appeal up to the Supreme Court,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
Governor of Ondo State Governor, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has waded into legal and chieftaincy tussle between Isinkan and Akure, two of three autonomous communities that make up the state capital.
The DEFENDER reports that the crisis was creation of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in his bid to claim consenting authority over kings of Akure speaking communities particularly in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas.
The Deji in an Appeal Court judgment, after losing to the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo Olofin-Adimula, at the High court which he was reportedly too sure would be to his favour, preemptively, had taken two unsuccessful actions of acclaimed suspension of the Oba on the throne and replacement of him with a high chief.
The Iralepo-in-Council has, however, educated the Deji of Akure that he lacks the powers to suspend an Oba he did not appoint let alone to give a replacement of him in a demoted manner. He was also told that the throne of Iralepo is not a child’s play to be susceptible to the theatre of absurdity.
Many who have reacted to the development told The DEFENDER that what the Deji has done to go to court after the government had duly appointed abd installed the Iralepo, in the first place, was drawing a battle line with the state government.
They spoke on the ground that the Ondo State chieftaincy laws give the governor the sole right of consenting authority to appoint an Oba and have no provision for paramountcy which the Deji of Akure arrogates to himself.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, breaking his silence on the matter, told the Deji of Akure on Sunday why all the actions he hurriedly took after the Appeal Court judgment should not stand until the Iralepo would have exhausted all constitutional rights of appeal up to the apex court, Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Governor, who was speaking at the Thanksgiving Service for his inauguration at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Jesus House, Oke Ijebu, Akure, cleverly walked the most slippery traditional Obaship tight-rope in the history of Ondo State, the Isinkan versus Akure chieftaincy issue.
While acknowledging the eminent position of the Deji of Akure, who was present at the church service, Governor Aiyedatiwa reminded the Akure monarch of the ephemeral nature of all human positions, including that of himself as Governor.
His wise intervention drew massive applause from the large congregants, who had come from far and wide to rejoice with the Governor.
Aiyedatiwa went further to leverage the aphorism of the land saying, “we are fighting other communities over land. This must stop. This land will remain here even when all traditional rulers will be long gone”.
Then respectfully mentioning the Deji by name while acknowledging his eminent position as the Chairman of the State Council of Obas, the Governor implored the royal father to consider the peace of the state in his actions.
“Kabiyesi, we must accommodate others. We must obey the rules and regulations of this state. We must obey the law of the land. Even when there are court judgments, the other parties have their rights to appeal up to the Supreme Court,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
It will be recalled that the Akeredolu – Aiyedatiwa administration formally elevated and recognised the traditional titles of several communities across the state in line with the ancient traditions, practices, and customs of those communities.
Isinkan and Isolo, two separate communities in the state capital, with their distinct traditions and customs were among the beneficiaries of that government decision.
The administration went further to formally release the White Papers of the Ajama Chieftaincy Commission which again further recognised both Isinkan and Isolo chieftaincies alongside several others across the state.
However, of all traditional rulers in Ondo State, only the Deji of Akure approached the court to challenge the action of government that redressed the age-long repression of the agitation of the people of Isinkan and Isolo.
Also, despite the reverence nature of the Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Inauguration Programmes, the Deji chose the period to resort to self-help in the implementation of what he described as a favourable appeal court judgment.
Not a few people were aghast at such brazen promotion of violence at such an inauspicious time. Many considered it a deliberate disrespect for the Governor.
Otunba Ademola Olubayode, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oba Akoko in the state, praised the Governor for what he described as his sagacity.
“This is sagacious! The Governor just firmly and respectfully made the position of the Ondo State Government known to that quarrelsome traditional ruler.
“People who underrate the gentility of Aiyedatiwa can see that this man is fire – he is like Baba Awolowo, firm but respectful. I don’t think any other person will want to disrespect Aiyedatiwa,” he added.
Is Aiyedatiwa the Philosopher Governor that the people of Ondo State have been waiting for? This is question some Ondo State indigenes are now delightfully asking.
