The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has issued a warning to Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi over a query letter sent to some monarchs in the state.
“…I along with my fellow Traditional Rulers across Yoruba Land feel very sad that Your Excellency issued query to the sixteen Ekiti Crowned respected Traditional Rulers of high esteem in Yoruba Land for not wing their heads subordinate by not attending the council meeting under their subordinate.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reported how Mr Fayemi summoned 16 Monarchs in the state over alleged insubordination on Wednesday.
Mr Fayemi in the query signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, A. O. Adeoye questioned why the kings are always absent in monthly meetings of traditional rulers since August 2019.
They were, however, given 72 hours to send their explanations.
“Your conspicuous absence at the council meetings and state official functions, without any excuse or justification are considered inimical to the proper administration of the chieftaincy institution you represent.”
“Therefore, Mr Governor has directed that Your Royal Majesty should forward your representation for this inaction, through this office within 72 hours on the receipt of this letter”, part of the letter reads.
Meanwhile, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in a letter sent to Governor Fayemi on Thursday, warned that the monarchs be treated with respect.
The foremost traditional ruler, who wrote on behalf of other royal fathers in Yoruba Land, said he wrote in respect to the composition of Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.
“Your Excellency’s neglect of the hierarchical order by appointing a subordinate Oba as the Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State over and above the recognized order It was therefore with total displeasure and indeed total discomfort that we learnt of,” a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA read.
“In a free society like ours, nobody should expect those injured by that assault to keep quiet. As civilized people, rather than confronting or engaging the government they chose the court option.”
“Since the case is still in court, we will not want to comment further on it as a law-abiding citizen. I, however, expected that your Excellency waits till the end of the court process before acting on the matter,” Oba Lamidi noted.
He, however, concluded that Mr Fayemi should tread softly when dealing with traditional institutions. “Let us employ diplomacy to settle this issue,” the Oyo monarch advised.
