Following a statement by the Oloba-In-Council, which claimed that traditional rulers in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State are not under his control, the Deji of Akure land, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade, has declared that he remains the prescribed authority over both Akure North and Akure South Local Government Areas of the state.
Oba Aladetoyinbo stated that four different court judgments have reaffirmed him as the prescribed authority over the two local government areas.
The Oloba-in-Council, led by the Regent of Oba-ile, Princess Adefoluke Agunbiade-Adu, warned the Deji of Akureland against annexing their communities or interfering in chieftaincy matters within their domain.
Speaking on their behalf, former state commissioner Hon. Omoniyi Omodara said that Oba-Ile and the Oloba Oodaye “are not, and have never been, under the authority of any ruler other than the Oloba himself,” adding that the community predates both Akure and its monarch.
“We urge the Deji and neighbouring communities not to attempt to rewrite or distort our history. Oba-Ile land cannot be ceded to anyone for any reason,” Omodara said.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade, the monarch’s spokesman, Michael Adeyeye, said on Monday that two different lower court judgments and two different appeal court judgments upheld the Deji of Akure Kingdom as the prescribed authority over the two local government areas.
According to Adeyeye, “The judgment of His Lordship Justice W.A. Akintoroye dismissed the suit challenging the authority of the Deji (SUIT NO: AK/28/2017) over the appointment of minor chiefs in Akure North Local Government, in the judgment dated 28th March 2018.
“The court in its judgment held that:
‘From time immemorial, the entire Akure land has been under the hegemony of the Deji of Akure. By virtue of this position, the Deji is the paramount ruler over the entire Akure land and the consenting authority over all minor chiefs, Olus, and Baales under him.
Prior to the bifurcation of Akure Local Government, the Deji of Akure, by virtue of his position, is the prescribed authority and empowered—traditionally and by law—to appoint and consent to the appointment of minor chiefs within the land, regardless of the bifurcation of the old Local Government into Akure North and South.’”
Adeyeye further explained, “We wish to make it abundantly clear that the issue of the paramountcy of the Deji of Akure Land concerns the entire Akure land, irrespective of how many Local Governments are carved out of Akure land for administrative convenience.
“The government never intended to undermine traditions and culture through the creation of local governments. Rather, their clear intention is to bring governance and development closer to the people. This positive intention should not be misconstrued as an attempt to cause friction.
“For the umpteenth time, the Deji remains the prescribed authority in the appointment of minor chiefs in Akure North Local Government.
“Without mincing words, only the Deji has the prerogative to appoint minor chiefs in Owode, Eleyowo, Araromi, and other communities of Akure North and South.”