TROUBLE LOOMS IN OGUN: DAPO ABIODUN SET UP COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO UPGRADED OBAS AND BAALES

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has inaugurated the Chieftain Review Committee constituted to look into the upgrade and appointments of 75 coronet Obas by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the twilight of his administration.

The committee is chaired by the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

Other members of the committee are the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya; Elepe of Epe,  Sagamu Oba Adewale Osiberu; Aro of Egbaland Chief Yinka Kufile, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and   Chieftaincy Affairs Mr. Babatunde Oyeti and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Lanre Osota.

Olu of Ilaro, the Chairman of the committee

Abiodun assures that his administration would not allow any form of assault on the traditional institution or its value.

 The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of the committee at his Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, said his government places a very high premium on traditional institution and acknowledged the invaluable roles and contributions it plays in promoting good governance at the grassroots.

He decried the unprecedented approval, appointment and upgrade of some chiefs and Baales to coronet Obas, which generated reactions from the traditional institution and members of the public, adding that the setting up of the committee was to address the alleged anomalies.

“It will be recalled that the last administration approved the appointments and upgrade of some monarchs at the tail end of their administration, notable among these appointments was the upgrade of some baales to coronet Obas, which is unprecedented in the history of our traditional institution in the state.

“The setting up of this committee should not be seen as an exercise to score cheap political points or witch-hunt anyone, but rather should be seen as a token of the seriousness our administration will continue to ascribe to the traditional institution.” he said.

Osile Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo

Abiodun, however, added that his administration would ensure that all chieftaincy matters follow due process and the extant laws, while also placing high premium on chieftaincy matters and looking into the welfare of the traditional institutions.

In his response, Oba Olugbenle said the committee would do a thorough job by being fair and just, adding that members would go back to the traditional institution and the people to educate  them that government was not out to score cheap political points or on a revenge mission but to put things in their right perspective.

Culled from The Nation