HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Oyerinde has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to officially recognize him as the Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government.
The monarch also urged Governor Makinde to approve his long overdue entitlements which he had not enjoyed since his appointment and receipt of instrument of office from the State government.
The appeal was made on behalf of the monarch by his Counsel, Barrister Stephen Raji at a news conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press Center, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Addressing journalists at the conference, Barrister Raji maintained that Oba Oyerinde was duly nominated and appointed as the Aresaadu of Iresaadu, however, some forces within the present administration have prevented him from functioning as expected.
Barrister Raji alleged that the state’s ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters, whose commissioner is Hon. Ademola Ojo, issued a letter to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government last year to initiate the process of appointing a parallel Aresaadu.
He claimed the letter was signed by the immediate past director of chieftaincy matters in the ministry, Mr A.M Olajire on the premise that a court judgment had nullified the appointment of Oba Oyerinde.
Raji described the move as total disregard for the rule of law by the ministry and against the the oath of office taken by the concerned director and commissioner.
“It is indeed a worrisome development and a clear bias and abuse of office by the Hon Commissioner to bend the law in order to satisfy the inordinate interests of friends or associates. It is also a criminal offence and abuse of office to propagate falsehood and issuing a directive to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government to set up an administrative process to nominate another candidate to be appointed as a parallel Aresaadu based on falsehood that the substantive Aresaadu has been removed by a Court judgment when no such judgment exists.”
“This singular action of not according Oba Adeyeye the necessary recognition despite the abundance of documentary evidence in Ministry’s custody is causing a serious misrepresentation in the community which is already creating chaos and a state of lawlessness as some disgruntled elements, especially from Emiolu Ruling House who have lost their cases challenging the appointment of Oba Adeyeye as Aresaadu in court, are still claiming that there is no King in Iresaadu and making unfounded and defamatory publications in the social, broadcast and print media against the person of Oba Adeyeye.”
Raji Esq equally frowned at the directive of the commissioner to representatives of Oba Oyerinde at a joint meeting, to seek the consent of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.
Raji maintained that that directive was absurd as the Olugbon was not a consenting authority to the stool of Aresaadu.
“we advise Hon Commissioner Mr Ademola Ojo not to attempt to rewrite the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State and Aresaadu Chieftaincy Declaration that would require the approval/consent of Olugbon on matters relating to Aresadu throne as against the existing laws, as the power to make or amend the law belongs to the State Assembly.”
Barrister Raji therefore called on Governor Makinde to intervene by approving and releasing the long overdue entitlements of office of Oba Oyerinde and ensure that both the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters and Chairman of Surulere Local Government allow the monarch to perform the functions of his office.
He also demanded that the Commissioner withdraws the letter written to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government directing him to commence the process of nominating a parallel Aresaadu.
“We urge His Excellency the Executive Governor to use his highly revered office to investigate and sanction the identified government officials involved in this very unfortunate incident which is giving the Government a bad image.”