Ondo State Government has issued a White Paper whittling down the power and areas of influence of some traditional rulers
Many of the newly recognised Obas are in Akure North and Akure South local governments.
The Akure monarch used to claim he could appoint Olus and Baales.
Before the issuance of the White Paper, the Deji of Akure stool was primed as the paramount ruler of Akure and the consenting authority over minor chiefs, Olus as well as baales in Akure North and Akure South local governments.
In the White Paper, the government declared that no king in the state had a right to paramountcy claim.
It said there was nothing like paramountcy in the Chief’s Law of Ondo State and created 62 Obas, who were rated as Grade C monarchs.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Charles Titiloye, who spoke on Monday, September 12, 2022, at a news conference in Akure, said the White Paper was on the Justice C.E.T. Ajama (rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters, which was instituted in 2015 to attend to recognition, adjustment, upgrading and elevation of chieftaincy stools in the state.
He said the incumbent administration set up a six-man committee in January to review the recommendations made by Justice Ajama commission.
Justice Titiloye said the White Paper settled 51 dispute chieftaincy stools across the 18 local governments.
The Attorney General listed the new Grade C monarchs to include Olurokun of Irokun, Osolo of Isolo, Osowa of Ugboroko, Eleegun of Eegun, Asinigbo of Isinigbo, Oniresi of Osi, Olumafon of Imafon, Olu of Alayere, Olu of Eleyewo, Olu of Ilu-Abo, Olu of Abo-Asakin, Obalogun of Igoba, Ojogbariaka of Ilado, Elekun of Ilekun, Iralepo of Isinkan, Olujoka of Ijoka, Ado of Adofure, Olu of Ijigba, Ogidi of Ogidigba, among others.
He said the Obas would soon be presented with staff of office.
Titiloye said 42 monarchs, who were previously in Grade C, were moved to Grade B, except for Owa-Ale of Iyo-mefa, Ikare; Ajana of Afa Oke-Agbe; Olumoru of Imoru; Ojomo of Ijebu-Owo; Elemure of Emure-Ile and Moporure of Agerige, who were elevated to Grade A.
Out of 20 Grade B Obas, 16, including Orunja of Odigbo, Olupele of Ipele, and Olujare of Ijare were elevated to Grade A; but Olupe of Ipe, Oloba of Oba-Akoko, Ojima of Okeluse and three others remained in Grade B.
Justice Titiloye said: “Government notes that paramountcy is not part of the Chief’s Law of Ondo State. Consequently, government has directed the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to set machinery in motion for the amendment of the Chief’s Law of Ondo State, to accommodate this recommendation.”
Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Commissioner Akinwumi Sowore said the review of chieftaincy matters would bring peace, unity, and progress to the communities.
He said the review of chieftaincy matters would be a continuous exercise.
Source: The Nation
