Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has intervened in the public quarrel between the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.
Both paramount rulers were engaged in a dispute over ranking and supremacy in Yorubaland and Western Nigeria.
The Alake called the Awujale out to fight after he told visiting Ooni of Ife that he was the fourth ranked monarch in Western Nigeria, after the Ooni, the Alafin and the Oba of Benin.
He ranked Awujale fifth. Awujale, seized the inaugural lecture for a professorial chair at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, to state facts, in his own way. He said, to the anger of Alake and his chiefs, that the Alake’s dominion does not extend beyond Ake quarters in Abeokuta.
While answering questions from newsmen after the meeting, the governor said that the monarchs have come to discuss how peace and tranquility will continue to reign in the state.
“I don’t want you to go and write anything out of context. Yes, we are here, our fathers are here to see me. Of course, we deliberated on so many things. I’m sure you want to say what is happening.
“Indeed, nothing is happening. They came here to see the possibility of how to make sure we have peace in the state, among so many other things that we did.
“Don’t forget that this would be the first time I would have the opportunity – I’ve shown my appreciation before for the 40th anniversary, so, it is an opportunity for me to still show that.
Something to cheer here: Oba Gbadebo smiles
“So, if you think that you want to ask that what is the outcome, outcome of what?. We have come here to deliberate and as always, it’s always a pleasure for me to have our fathers around here.
“There is nothing like ranking of Oba, we know ourselves. Our fathers, they have their ways, even, before the advent of all these colonials and what have you.
“We have ways of how we live in harmony and I think we will continue to do that. Don’t forget, and I’m saying this again with all due humility and sense of responsibility, that in the context of we Yorubas, we know our pre-eminent status.
The Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland,Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona,Ogbagba II declined to speak with newsmen as he just said, “I want to say hello to you….there is no problem gentlemen, please. Thank you very much”.
In his own reaction about the meeting, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV spoke about his efforts to resolve the dispute between the striking workers and Ogun state government.
“I have come to see my governor for many things, including the strike action of the workers and I’m very sure they would go back to work very soon by the grace of God”, the monarch stated.
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