Ogun: ADC's Otegbeye promises to reinstate 75 sacked coronet Obas

Biyi-Otegbeye

Ogun ADC 2023 governorship election candidate, Biyi Otegbeye

By Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta

The Ogun gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, has promised to respect the state’s traditional institution if elected in the March 11 election.

Otegbeye accused the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration of eroding the dignity of the traditional institution in Ogun by consistently disregarding the spirits and letters of chieftaincy laws of the state.

The ADC governorship candidate, according to a press release signed by Raheem Ajayi, the Media Director of the Otegbeye Campaign Council specifically berated Abiodun for his refusal to reinstate 75 Coronet Obas despite an order from a competent court.

The governorship candidate, according to the press statement spoke at the Palace of the traditional ruler of Magboro town, HRH Modiu Ademuyiwa, during his campaign tour of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area on Tuesday.

Otegbeye said if elected Governor of Ogun State on March 11, his administration will obey the rule of law at all times.

It will be recalled that 75 Obas were installed during the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun but were sacked by Dapo Abiodun when he assumed office in 2019.

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The traditional rulers, not satisfied with that action, went to court to challenge the decision.

They got a favourable judgment as the court ordered their reinstatement. The government appealed the judgment, but the Appellate Court ruled against the government.
But the government has refused to obey the ruling till today.

Reacting to Abiodun’s refusal to reinstate the demoted Coronet Obas, Otegbeye said, “We have never had any administration as draconian as this, with total disrespect and disregard for the rule of law.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun has no regard for the traditional institutions, and there are many instances to validate this. Why would Obas who were legally installed by previous administration be unilaterally removed without recourse to due diligence”.

“Even when they got judgments on two occasions for them to be reinstated, he refused to obey the sacred orders of the courts as if we are in a banana republic. Instead of doing the right thing, he decided to break the ranks of the Kings by selectively reinstating a few of them who would do his bidding among the monarchs”.

“We have standards in Ogun State because past Governors have elevated the level of governance along the fine paths of strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for institutions, among others. These lofty standards have been lowered by Dapo Abiodun. “

“I want to assure the good people of the Gateway State and especially our Royal Fathers, that the incoming ADC administration under my watch will obey the rule of law and immediately reinstate all the Obas affected by the judgment. We will accord maximum respect to the traditional institutions because you are the custodians of our culture and traditional values. Please be assured that we will always consult you and make you part of our governance process.

The Olu of Magboro thanked Otegbeye for stopping by at his palace, and while praying for the success of his governorship project.

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