A fresh disagreement has emerged between the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, over the appointment of Prince Bashiru Adesina as the Baale of Ejioku.
The controversy followed the appointment of Adesina by the Olubadan about four weeks earlier, with the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration declaring the appointment null and void on the grounds that the prescribed procedure was not followed.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Bimbo Kolade, the state government said it did not recognise Adesina as the Baale of Ejioku and warned him against parading himself as such.
“For the sake of emphasis, the state government does not recognise Prince Bashiru Adesina as the Baale of Ejioku. He is, therefore, warned to stop parading himself in such capacity till those concerned comply with due process,” Kolade said.
According to the government, the appointment contravened the provisions of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, CAP. 28, which regulates the appointment and recognition of traditional chiefs in the state.
The development represents another strain in the relationship between the state government and the traditional council in Ibadanland.
About two years earlier, the Ajimobi administration had expressed displeasure over the promotion of some high chiefs by the Olubadan-in-Council, arguing that the council should have obtained the governor’s approval before promoting the chiefs to the next rank.
That disagreement was eventually resolved after the traditional council apologised to the governor.
Government Insists on Due Process
Explaining the government’s position on the latest controversy, Kolade referred to Section 20 of the Chiefs Law, particularly subsection 20(1), which empowers the governor to approve or set aside the appointment of a recognised chief.
“Subject to the provisions of this section, the governor may approve or set aside an appointment of a recognised chief,” the provision states.
Kolade said the government’s intervention was intended to ensure that the process leading to the emergence of traditional chiefs complied with the law and did not create room for disputes among contenders.
He also demanded documents which, according to the ministry, were required before the governor could be asked to approve the appointment.
Among the documents requested were a letter from the head of the ruling house to the kingmakers notifying them of the candidate nominated for the vacant stool and the consent letter of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji.
“Please note that the required documents are to be presented before the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, could be sought,” the government said.
The commissioner acknowledged correspondence between the ministry and Lagelu Local Government concerning the vacant Ejioku stool but said the process had remained incomplete at the local government level since October 2016.
According to him, the ministry had written to the council on October 17, 2016, requesting documents to establish that the prescribed procedure for filling the vacant stool had been followed.
The letter, which was received by the Director, Administration and General Services, Mr Kolawole Popoola, was yet to be fully complied with, the ministry said.
Among the documents requested were a public notice issued by the local government announcing the vacant stool, a certificate of appointment issued by the kingmakers in respect of the selected candidate and an attendance sheet showing those who participated in the family and kingmakers’ meetings.
The ministry also requested a letter from the local government conveying the state government’s approval for the next ruling house to fill the vacant stool.
The request was contained in a letter signed by the ministry’s Director of Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Zaccheaus Jayeola.
‘We Will Follow the Law’
Kolade said the ministry would insist on strict compliance with the prescribed procedure in order to prevent disputes, litigation and possible breakdown of law and order.
He warned aspirants to traditional stools against bypassing established procedures or resorting to self-help in their quest for traditional titles.
“There are laid down rules and regulations guiding the emergence and installation of a traditional chief, as enshrined in the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, CAP 28. This has been the guiding light for the ministry,” he said.
Kolade described it as an attempt to create anarchy for anyone to begin parading himself as a Baale without completing the required process.
He recalled that the government had previously warned contenders for traditional stools against violating existing laws.
“Experience has shown that such inordinate ambition is an invitation to breakdown of law and order, because of the acrimonious contentions among contenders to such stools,” he added.
The latest dispute places the traditional authority of the Olubadan against the statutory oversight powers claimed by the Oyo State Government over the recognition and appointment of traditional chiefs, with the government insisting that no traditional appointment can be recognised without compliance with the relevant law.
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