The Egba Traditional Council has disassociated itself from the decision taken by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, in appointing a regent to take charge of the affairs of Obafemi-Owode as the Olu-Obafemi-Owode case lingers.
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent development of appointing a regent without the unanimous decision of the council, the Alagbado of Agbado, Oba Adedayo Shyllon Sogbulu, who was speaking at his palace in Agbado Crossing, disclosed that the act is completely strange to the extant laws guiding the obaship affairs in Egbaland.
He stated that the Egba Traditional Council never took such a decision, stressing that this is not the first time something of this nature would be happening.
“We were at the last meeting that took place before Easter celebrations and nothing of such happened or was discussed at the council meeting, but because of the celebration we could not hold any meeting; Alake with his Ogboni chiefs did this alone,” he said.
The monarch added that those characters mentioned as the regent-in-council to replace the Olu of Obafemi-Owode were never part of the Egba Traditional Council.
He said, “We are under siege and slavery in the Egba Traditional Council. Alake and his Ogboni chiefs have taken unilateral decisions on a matter that concerns the entire traditional councils.”
Oba Sogbulu explained that though Alake is the President of the Traditional Council, being the president does not give him sole authority on the council.
He pointed out that weeks ago, Alake installed a coronet Oba right in front of his palace without the prior knowledge of the Egba Traditional Council and himself, in order to spite him and create problems in the domain.
Oba Shyllon Sogbulu premised the decision to institute legal action against the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, on his unilateral decision to impose a Regency Council on the stool of Olu-Obafe in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area without the approval of the Egba Traditional Council (ETC).
A fellow of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, United States, turned traditional ruler, explained that the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland has, by such action, violated the latest 2021 Chief’s Law of Ogun State (as amended), which was assented to by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
With specific reference to a directive from the state’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with reference no: CHM.10/268T/36, dated 17th January, 2017, and forwarded to the Alake of Egbaland, which places an embargo on the installation of Baales across the state, Oba Sogbulu said Oba Gbadebo has moved against the state government’s directive that restrained him from the appointment of such a regent-in-council for the Olu Obafemi stool.
The monarch further explained that the Office of the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had also in the year 2021 told the Alake of Egbaland that “his power to act as Prescribed Authority over minor chieftaincies is limited to Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas”, which excludes the Òkú Obafe stool in Obafemi-Owode Local Government.
Citing Sections 2 (e) and (f) of the Obas & Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Laws of Ogun State, which prescribe a 2-year jail term for anyone who violates the law, the Alagbado of Agbado-Ijaiye maintained that the Alake of Egbaland lacked the prescribed authority to encroach on the affairs of the Olu-Obafe-Owode stool.
While accusing the Egba Paramount Ruler of running the Egba Traditional Council like his personal company, the Alagbado, Oba Sogbulu, also pointed out that Oba Gbadebo has been busy engaging himself in the upgrade of 12 new coronet Obas without the consent and approval of the ETC.
He maintained that the action clearly violated Section 26, sub (3) of the Obas & Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Laws of Ogun State (as amended), which rests such power on the State Executive Council.
Oba Sogbulu, however, maintained that the entire members of the ETC will not hesitate to check the excesses of the Egba Paramount Ruler towards ensuring that the trend is stopped.
Also speaking on the issue is the Alakija of Ikija, Oba Babatunde Kolawole Ayorinde, who emphasized that the decision to appoint a regent in place of the Olu of Obafemi-Owode, who is facing trial, was not jointly taken by the Egba Traditional Council, noting that the council had earlier taken a unanimous decision to suspend the monarch.
“I believe traditional rulers should focus on their core responsibilities, which are to protect, preserve, and nourish the culture, custom, as well as the tradition of our people.”
The Olota of Ota, Oba Abdul-Kabir Obalanlege, also explained that appointing a regent to replace an Oba who is still alive is alien to Yoruba culture, noting that such an act was uncalled for.
While speaking on the issue, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, noted that the Oba and Chiefs law in the state does not recognize any regent or regency-in-council.
“Kabiyesi Alake told me that he has appointed a regency council to oversee the affairs of the town.”
Reacting to this, the Secretary of the Egba Traditional Council, Oluwaseun David Fajobi, declined any comment, noting that he is not authorised to speak.
