Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje is the Olu of Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State. In this interview, he speaks on the government of Gov. Ademola Adeleke and other sundry issues. ADEOLU ADEYEMO brings excerpts.
You were alleged to be grabbing people’s lands and selling them. This is a serious allegation against a traditional ruler, how would you react to it?
In the first instance, I am not just a traditional ruler but a respecter of the law. Permit me to state here that inasmuch as my people chose me as their monarch, I have to respect them and allow their fundamental human rights to be exercised.
Why would I descend so low as to be grabbing lands? I can never do that. As a traditional ruler, I cannot be a figurehead king looking at another monarch taking away what belongs to my domain. Let me state here that all these baseless allegations emanated from the Oluwo of Iwo. You will realise that Oke Osun community belongs to Ile-Ogbo and not Iwo at all. The Baale that the Oluwo of Iwo installed in 1999 was removed by the law court in 2002.
In the court judgment, it was specifically stated that the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, not the Oluwo, has the right to install the Baale of Oke Osun. There is nothing true in the publications made some time ago that there was rancour in Oke-Osun community. It was a total fabrication by the town’s enemies and a case of character assassination against my humble self, Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje Kadara Arowo Okunoye II, the Olu of Ile-Ogbo. I can never ever descend so low as to become a land grabber.
I have royalty, unlike some noisemakers who are not versed in our traditional ethics. A thoroughbred traditional ruler must know what tradition is. He must know his territorial limits. Even if he does not know, he should ask his elders. You cannot be Mr-Know-All.
You need to make consultations. It is quite unfortunate and an insult to our traditional institution that some kings do not have respect for the rule of law. How can a respected king be an encroacher? This is not fair.
I am a respecter of the law. I have the court judgement: Oke Osun belongs to Ile-Ogbo. If there is any king that has any contrary judgement to my claim, let him come out. I therefore challenge the management of the newspaper that published lies against me to retract the nonsense within seven days or we will meet in court. It was a report based on sentiment. This is not the first land case I would fight and win. I was the one that fought against Modakeke over their encroachment into Oke Osun and to the glory of God, I won the battle despite the fact that three kings before me tried and failed. Let me state categorically here that the Oluwo remains a negative representation of the traditional institution.
All the lands he sold around my town belong to Ile-Ogbo and not Iwo and I have all relevant legal documents to back this up. He should come up with documents and legal facts.
How would you assess the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in Osun State?
Without mincing words, and going by all the visible landmark achievements, only a fool, or somebody who needs very urgent mental therapy, would say that the man is not performing. Let me say loud and clear that Governor Ademola Adeleke is a performer par excellence. In fact, he is in a special category among all the governors we have had so far in Osun State.
Aside from the fact that he assembled technocrats as commissioners and advisers, he is a man of humility and integrity. He is not a governor who is given to window dressing. We can see what he is doing for workers. He has turned the lot of Osun State workers from ‘Afusa’ to ‘Odidi’, meaning from ‘half-salary’ to ‘full-salary’.
I have not seen a civil service so reformed and rejigged. Honestly, I see Governor Adeleke as a metaphor for reorganisation, a super strategist, a realist and an astute developer who can stand the test of time.
Going by his superlative performances in terms of road rehabilitation, improvement of pensioners plight, review of workers welfare, regular payment of salaries, respect for the traditional institution, embrace of political opponents, running of an inclusive government, respect for the rule of law and, above all, his display of religious tolerance, Governor Adeleke has come not just to rule but to write his name in gold in the annals of governance in Osun State.
What have been your achievements since your enthronement as the Olu of Ile-Ogbo?
To the glory of God Almighty, I have been able to bridge the gap between the old and new generations without commotion. I have been able to woo foreign investors to our town.
Some people that were previously thought would not do anything for us in this town have been coming around. A very good example is Dr Adeleke who singlehandedly tarred the road from Ile-Ogbo to Iwo and also constructed a stadium for us. Our sons and daughters in the Diaspora have been up and doing in all ramifications. I want to say that we have brought the government closer to this town by making sure the presence of governance is felt here.
I have also made sure that our people have the expected level of political education and participation. We have never been more politically active. There is industrialisation and there has been peace and harmony, to the glory of God. Youths are being empowered, as the headquarters of Ayedire Local Government Area in Osun State.
Reports have it that the Osun State government has banned you from selling lands. What do you make of this?
Well, you will see that the government stated clearly that the order is pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. I hope that those conducting the investigations will do a thorough job and come out with an unbiased report. Let us wait till then. I have nothing against the government. Besides, I know that the governor is filled with wisdom and is indeed a man of integrity. So, I have no doubt that truth will prevail. The governor is the supreme head of this state and I believe the government’s statement has not in anyway indicted me. Investigations are ongoing and I have the belief that truth will prevail.
If you look at the concluding paragraph of the statement, it reads: ‘We have set up a committee to investigate and come up with a report and recommendations. The warning should be respected’. This shows that the governor is a listening leader. He has not made a jaundiced pronouncement since a committee has been set up. It is unbefitting of someone like me to jump the gun. Let the government do its findings.
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