The peace initiative of the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to resolve the squabble among the four traditional rulers in Egba Kingdom, finally paid off yesterday as all parties resolved to peacefully work together in the interest of the race.
The meeting held at the Government House, Abeokuta, had in attendance, the four sectional Egba royal fathers: the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; the Osile of Oke Ona, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso; the Agura of Gbagura, Oba (Dr.) Halidu Olaloko and the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr.) Adegboyega Dosunmu.
Others were former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former head of the interim national government, Earnest Sonekan; and the Deputy Governor (Operation) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tunde Lemo.
The goal of the meeting it was learnt, was to end the mistrust, and leadership tussle amongst the Egba traditional rulers.The parley which lasted about four hours was a follow-up to an earlier one held on November 3.
The three-man reconciliatory committee set up by the Governor, include Messers Obasanjo, Shonekan, Olatunde Abudu and Femi Majekodunmi, who is the secretary.
The committee is to submit its report on or before December 31 on the resolution of the differences.
A communiqué signed by all parties said that the meetings were frank, open and candid with all controversial issues discussed. It said the Governor appealed to the monarchs to embrace reconciliation and also place the interest of all Egbas above all personal or individual interests.
“After achieving what the committee regarded as a full reconciliation on all issues that have been causing rancor and dissatisfaction among the Obas, the Obas agreed to sink all their differences and henceforth work together in harmony.”
Speaking with newsmen, Obasanjo commended the Governor, adding that re-uniting the the royal fathers was divine.
The former president who made reference to the Ife/Modakeke and Umuleri/Aguleri crisis in Osun and Anambra States said “the most important thing is that the people must constantly work out solutions to such challenges through sincere dialogue, communication and discussions.”
“Where you make dialogue the oil of reducing friction in human relationships, then you have got the solution to disagreements.”
Speaking further, he said: “Don’t underplay the reconciliation; I believe all of us in Egbaland and Ogun State cannot thank Governor Amosun enough. It is the divine hand of God, when Amosun called us together in November 3, we never hoped that we shall achieve.”
“Now, (there is) no doubt in my mind that our Kabiyesis are genuine. Wherever human beings are, there are likely to be friction. When you see a machine working, there is friction, and what needs to be done is to oil it.”
“I read the kabiyesi’s lips and body language and I can tell you, they are genuine in resolving the friction,” the Owu High Chief said.
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