A 101-year-old traditional ruler of Jebba in Mooro local government in Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Alabi Adebara, his chiefs and residents have appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to rise to the administrative challenges of his office by investigating how his (the Monarch’s) files disappeared in the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs.
Specifically, the king in his palace yesterday told newsmen that he had neither been paid salary nor emoluments accrued to his office since he became an Oba 21 years ago.
He urged Governor Abdulrazaq to “do the needful for me by giving me all my salaries and due entitlements deprived me since I was rated by the Late Muhammed Lawal.”
Also addressing the situation, his chiefs, led by the Eesa of Jebbaland, high chief Jaiyeola Omotosho recalled that Adebara was appointed the Oba of Jebba, of third class status, on 16″ May, 2003 by the then Governor, late Muhammed Lawal.
“Earlier in 1983, the stool of the Oba of Jebba was graded third class by late Governor Adamu Attah but was withdrawn in 1984 by the military regime of late Group Captain Latinwo, ostensibly to please the feudal lords.
“Again in 2002, Late Lawal restored the grading of the Oba of Jebba and subsequently appointed the incumbent monarch when the stool became vacant, only for Dr. Bukola Saraki to withdraw it again, upon his assumption of office to appease the feudal lords.
“On that occasion, the Kwara State Government found it difficult to comply with its own laid down rules regarding the appointment, discipline and depositionof traditional chiefs, and chose to resort to arm-twisting which the Oba of Jebba resisted,” Omotosho said.
He however said that several letters have been written to both the past and present governors to pay withheld salaries and emoluments, “all to no avail,” he disclosed.
“The last straw that broke the camel’s back and which necessitated this press conference is the Oba of Jebba’s letter of appeal to the governor Ref. HRH/OBJB/S.P.GOV/8/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023 requesting for the payment of his personal emoluments.
“The Governor referred the letter to the Hon. Commissioner for LOcal Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who also sought the legal advice of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, whose advice was promptly given to the effect that the salaries and emoluments of the Oba be paid.
“Since the receipt of the legal advice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has failed/refused to revert back to the Governor while the subject file has suddenly disappeared from circulation.
“Even the reminder written by HRH the Oba of Jebba Ref. HRH/OBJB/S.P/GOV/12/2023 dated 18th December, 2023 on the subject matter has had no effect.
“We have strong reasons to believe that some officials of the Ministry of Local Government in cahoots with one or two traditional rulers are out to frustrate the payment of the accumulated salaries and allowances of our Monarch,” the chiefs alleged.
According to them, “they just find it difficult to accept the reality of a graded traditional ruler in Moro Local Government -a matter already settled by law in Suit KWS/231/89 – Saka Adeyerni & Ors Vs Alh. Laaro Isale Oja & Ors on 22d October, 1997 in a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice J. A. Ibiwoye of the Kwara State High Court to the effect that “Moro local government (where Jebba situates) is not within the llorin Emirate Council.
“We are convinced that some disgruntled elements are out to sabotage the good intention of the Governor. We therefore request the governor to direct his searchlight on the Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs by questioning the Commissioner over his role in this subterfuge,” he sought.
They however wanted the governor to constitute separate Traditional Council for Moro Local Government as well as immediately upgrade the stool of Oba of Jebba to first class status in line with his contemporaries of 1983 lije
Elese of Igbaja, Olosi of Osi, Olupako of Share, Etsu Tsaragi.
