The Ogun State Government and its neighbouring Ondo State are on a collision path over approval and planned installation of traditional rulers in four communities said to be part of Ogun.
The affected four communities, Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside fall within Ogun territory, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, said in a statement on Wednesday.
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The Ondo State Government had last week released White Paper on Obas’ Elevation and recognition into about 60 communities including Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi Seaside.
A statement by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye. said the white paper followed the recommendations of Justice Ajama (rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry into deserving cases of Recognition, Adjustment, upgrading and elevation of Chieftaincy Stools in the state.
Titiloye said the panel set up and inaugurated by the former Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration on the 30th day of January, 2015, but the government could not implement the Commission’s report before the end of its tenure in February, 2017.
“This Government met the Justice C. E. T. Ajama report unattended to on assumption of office. A committee of the State Executive Council was set up to review the report and make recommendations.”
“The Committee didn’t present its report until in February 2022 when a new Committee was set up. The report of the Committee eventually made it possible for the Five years old Justice Ajama report to be considered and acted upon by the State Executive Council,” the statement indicated.
Reacting on Wednesday, Odusile said contrary to the position of the Ondo government, the affected communities fall within Ogun Waterside LG in the state.
According to him, the position made by Ondo government has “expectedly been generating concern within these peace-loving communities in Ogun State.”
He called on the National Boundary Commission to take note and act accordingly in line with extant laws and relevant documents.
The statement partly reads “The Ogun State Government wishes to state categorically as follows: (a) That IROKUN. OBINEHIN, IDIGBENGBEN and ARAROMI SEASIDE communities are bonafide communities recognized by law as situated in Ogun State.
“(b) That official legal documents dating back to the colonial era and re-affirmed by relevant agencies of the Federal Government attest to this fact.
“(c) That the Ogun State Government is the only authority that can confer and recognize any chieftaincy title(s) in the communities mentioned above, being legally part of Ogun State; and
“(d) The attention of the National Boundary Commission is called to the press statement issued by the Ondo State Government; and the commission is hereby urged to take note and act accordingly in line with extant laws and relevant documents.
“The Ogun State Government hereby calls on all indigenes and residents of IROKUN, OBINEHIN, IDIGBENGBEN and ARAROMI SEASIDE communities in OGUN WATERSIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA of the state to continue to go about their businesses peacefully and lawfully as the issue is being handled at the highest level of government in Ogun and Ondo states respectively.
“We equally call on the Law enforcement agencies to take note and act accordingly to prevent any breakdown of law and order.”
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