Akure: Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has warned contestants vying for vacant traditional stools in the state against parading themselves as traditional rulers without government approval.
Aiyedatiwa issued the warning on Thursday at a peace meeting with the Ijare and Ero communities in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, regarding obaship tussles in the communities.
He warned that the government would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone who sought to disrupt the present peace in the state by attempting to become a traditional ruler without due process.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, stated that according to the government’s records, there are no traditional rulers in the Ijare and Ero communities.
The governor said the government had never been partisan in any obaship selection process, reiterating the government’s stance that the selection should be the prerogative of the community.
According to him, the non-partisan stand is responsible for peace in various communities, which has made the state a reference in the South-West about the installation of obas.
Aiyedatiwa said that peace is an essential ingredient needed for development, stating that nothing was too much to give to achieve it.
He appealed to the aggrieved parties in the two communities to sheathe their swords and put aside selfish interests, allowing the interests of their communities to supersede their own.
The governor noted that the government recognised the traditional institution as a partner in progress, promising that his administration would continue to enhance and prioritise the welfare of traditional rulers.
Responding, a prominent son of Ijare and renowned lawyer, Mr Adedife Oni, who represented the President of the Elewe Obi Socio-Cultural Society, thanked the government for its intervention aimed at maintaining peace in the community.
Additionally, the kingmakers and other major stakeholders in the community agreed to withdraw all court cases, resolve all differences, and initiate the peaceful selection process.
