When the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, promoted 75 Baales (village heads) to coronet Obas in a swoop during the last days of his administration, observers who had questioned the rationale behind the appointments, wondered if it would stand a test of time.
The appointments which generated controversies in the state, was described as “pure madness” by an Egba High Chief, Chief Alani Bankole.
“But the question again is that, where were many of these Oba-elects village heads before they were installed as Obas? In fact, so many of them do not live in the town, all they are interested in is to sell the lands in the communities to foreigners and farmers from other parts of the country. That is one of the abnormalities the politicians brought to the system,” Bankole had said.
However, barely four weeks after their appointments, the monarchs who had rolled out drums in celebration, now have their appointments subjected to review by Governor Dapo Abiodun – led government.
Our correspondent learnt that the beneficiaries are already jittery and in panic as the Chieftaincy Review Committee is set to begin its work. Insiders told EKO TRUST that their fate hangs in the balance “because the appointment is a thorn in the flesh of the current administration”.
Abiodun had on Monday inaugurated the committee headed by 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.
The governor said part of the committee’s terms of reference include to determine on a case-by-case basis, whether such appointments or promotions were in accordance with the extant laws of Ogun State and due process, identify the Obas and Chiefs whose appointments or promotions fall within the review period as contained in the recent resolution of the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The committee, the governor said, is to make its recommendations to the state government after completion of work.
In his address, Abiodun said the review was not meant to score cheap political point or witch-hunt anyone.
“The setting up of the Chieftaincy Review Committee should not be misconstrued as an exercise to score cheap political point or witch-hunt anyone, rather, it should be seen as a token of the seriousness our administration will continue to ascribe to the traditional institution, given that it has been and remains the custodian of our culture and tradition and the rallying point for the collective aspirations of our communities.
“We are committed as government to do whatever it takes to reposition our traditional institution, and ensure it occupies its rightful place in governance, so that our dear state will benefit from the collective wisdom, knowledge and sagacity of the traditional rulers,” Abiodun said.
In his response, Oba Olugbenle promised that the committee would be thorough in its assignment and discharge the duty with fairness and justice.
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