Intervene in Okeigbo Chieftaincy Matter, Council of Chiefs Appeals to Governor Aiyedatiwa
The Council of Chiefs in Okeigbo, in Ile-oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has issued an appeal to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the ongoing chieftaincy matter concerning the Oluoke of Okeigbo stool.
Okeigbo, historically divided into five quarters — Odo Eleyowo (20 family units), Aare Kugbayigbe (27 family units), Kuole Oloje (23 family units), Aderin Ologbenla (27 family units), and Ajibike Adedimeji (27 family units) — operates a chieftaincy structure where ruling houses were named in honour of the town’s founders.
In a press statement signed by the Oluoke Chiefs-in-Council, the body addressed the High Court judgment delivered on April 13, 2023, annulling the appointment of Oba Dr. Lawrence Oluwole Babajide, Bamigbala I, as the Oluoke of Okeigbo.
The judgment, issued in suit No. HOD/80/2018, is currently under appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, in Appeal No. CA/AK/97/2023. A motion for stay of execution has also been filed, and all relevant parties, including the Governor of Ondo State and the Attorney General, have been duly served.
Chiefs Law Cited, the Chiefs-in-Council referred to Section 14 of Chapter 27 of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State 2016, which outlines succession procedures:
“Where a candidate who has been duly appointed and has performed functions as a chief is subsequently disqualified or annulled, that candidate shall be deemed to have reigned, and the next ruling house shall produce the next candidate. In cases where there is only one ruling house, the disqualified candidate is not eligible for consideration again.”
Based on this provision, the Council argues that the Kuole Oloje Ruling House should produce the next candidate if the stool is deemed vacant. This aligns with the Oluoke Chieftaincy Declaration as detailed in the Adeloye Chieftaincy Commission Report.
Appeal for Peace and Legal Resolution, the Oluoke Chiefs-in-Council appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to uphold the rule of law and allow the Court of Appeal to deliver its judgment before any further actions are taken regarding the chieftaincy dispute.
“We have confidence in His Excellency’s commitment to peace and justice. We urge him to maintain the status quo and prevent any actions that could lead to anarchy in the kingdom,” the statement read.
The Chiefs also called for calm among the people of Okeigbo, urging them to maintain peace and unity while the legal process is ongoing.
“All challenges faced today will eventually be resolved. We implore our sons and daughters within and outside Okeigbo to remain peaceful and trust the process,” the Council concluded.
This appeal comes at a critical time as the community looks forward to a resolution that will preserve its unity and ensure justice.
