Akure, Isinkan Tussle: Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa Warns Deji Of Akure To Obey Laws Of Land

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has waded into the supremacy tussle between two Traditional Rulers in the State, urging Artie’s to seek peace.

The governor who spoke in Akure ahead of his inauguration on Monday reminded the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, one of the actors in the cridis of the ephemeral nature of all human positions, including that of himself as Governor.

Oba Aladetoyinbo, while trying to implement a recent Court of Appeal decision on the supremacy tussle with the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Olugbenga Ojo ordered him to vacate the throne, and appointed another person as a quarter chief.

Aiyedatiwa, who leveraged the aphorism of the land saying “we are fighting other communities over land. This must stop. This land will remain here even when all traditional rulers will be long gone.”

Then respectfully mentioning the Deji by name while acknowledging his eminent position as the Chairman of the State Council of Obas, the Governor implored the royal father to consider the peace of the state in his actions.

“Kabiyesi, we must accommodate others. We must obey the rules and regulations of this State. We must obey the law of the land.

“Even when there are court judgments, the other parties have their rights to appeal up to the Supreme Court.”

The administration of late former Governor Olwarotimi Akeredolu had elevated and recognised the traditional titles of several communities across the state in line with the ancient traditions and customs of those communities.

Isinkan and Isolo, two separate communities in the state capital, with their distinct traditions and customs, were among the beneficiaries of that government decision.

The administration went further to formally release the white papers of the Ajama Chieftaincy Commission which again further recognised both Isinkan and Isolo chieftaincies alongside several others across the state.

However, of all traditional rulers in Ondo State, only the Deji of Akure approached the court to challenge the action of government that redressed the age-long repression of the agitation of the people of Isinkan and Isolo.

Also, despite the reverence nature of the Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Inauguration Programmes, the Deji chose the period to resort to self-help in the implementation of what he described as a favourable appeal court judgment.

Not a few people were aghast at such brazen promotion of violence at such an inauspicious time. Many considered it a deliberate disrespect for the Governor.

Otunba Ademola Olubayode, an APC chieftain from Oba Akoko praised the Governor for what he described as his sagacity.

“This is sagacious! The Governor just firmly and respectfully made the position of the Ondo State Government known to that quarrelsome traditional ruler.

“People who underrate the gentility of Aiyedatiwa can see that this man is fire – he is like Baba Awolowo, firm but respectful. I don’t think any other person will want to disrespect Aiyedatiwa.”