A royal rumble among Grade “A” “B” and “C” traditional rulers may be looming in Ondo state over an alleged attempt by some first class kings to make themselves superior to others.
This is as some monarchs who are mainly in categories “B” and “C” on Thursday warned the state government to desist from meddling in the matter of paramountcy among traditional rulers in the state.
The ‘Kabiyesis’ have already formed a club named “De 130 Krown club” to fight their course.
They said no king is superior to the other, stressing that towns may be bigger but kings are the same.
Addressing reporters at the NUJ Press center in Akure, the state capital, President of the group, the Aladeokun of Alade Idanre, Oba Olusegun Akinbola, said out of 150 traditional rulers in the state, only 22 parade themselves as first class Obas.
He added that among the 22, only few of them can become the Chairman of Council of Obas, while others are just ceremonial first Class Obas.
The President particularly stated that, in this 21st century, it is absurd to lord the issue of paramountcy over other traditional rulers.
Akinbola noted that issue of Grade “A’ Oba is meaningless but only designed by government to make some monarchs comfortable.
The traditional ruler reminded the government that past governments steered cleared of the matter because they knew it was not wise to tamper with the history of the people.
Akinbola asked the state government not to help self – seeking people to rewrite the natural history of people of the state.
He said such issue is a subjective matter, which should not be institutionalized through the force of law as is being canvass by a few.
According to Akinbola, “Our strong advice to the Government is that it should not allow the desire of a group of few Obas plunge the state of over three million into confusion”.
He also lamented that their welfare should not be subjected to the dictates and fancies or whoever heads the government.
The group further asked for a clear policy on the provision of official vehicles for the Obas.
“There is no Emir, District head, or Village head in most Northern States who is not provided with official vehicles. In eastern States of the country, all Ezes of whatever categories are by law entitled to the use of official vehicles,” Akinbola said.
The Owale of Ikare, Adegbite Adedoyin supported his colleague by saying the Olubadan was once a baale in the 1930s but has today rise to be a first class Oba in the South-west.
He said the time has moved beyond the issue of paramountcy, urging those behind the matter against constituting themselves as a clog in the wheel of progress.
According to him, “The nomenclature of Ondo State council of Chiefs is faulty and outdated. The law guiding traditional ruler in Ondo state does not recognise Council of Obas but Council of chiefs
“But when our brothers go out there they claim they are members of Council of Obas. Even the composition of that council is one sided. It is not representative enough,” he stated.
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