The Oyo State Governor Egnr Seyi Makinde has declared that he has no preferred candidate for the position of Alaafin but reiterated his commitment to approve a benefiting Monarch to occupy an enviable Alaafin of Oyo through due process.
The Oyo state commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Matters Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola made this known during his message delivered on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde at the presentation of Instruments and Staff of Office to the Newly Elevated Part 3(Minor ) Chieftaincy to Part 2 Recognized Chieftaincies in three local governments area in Oyo town.
The Governor who spoke through Hon Olusegun Olayiwola, on Monday, at the Oba Adeyemi Acade, Ode-Aremo, Oyo township, charged newly elevated Chiefs to work closely with the state government to ensure the safety of their respective communities.
While soliciting the continuous support of the people of Oyo for the Seyi Makinde-led administration the Commissioner said the government has no anointed candidate for the position of Alaafin but is committed to installing a befitting monarch for the town.
According to him; ” Today another History was made in Oyo town has Governor Seyi Makinde granted the requests made by the people of Oyo to elevate the Chiefs from part 3 to Part 2 Recognized Chieftaincies in the 3 local governments in Oyo town. This upgrade not only brings honor to their communities but also serves as a testament to our government’s continued support for our cultural heritage and traditional institutions”
As we celebrate this achievement, I want to emphasize that our government has zero tolerance for issues like land grabbing, banditry, and kidnapping. We expect our newly recognized Chiefs to ensure that their various communities are well-secured and that any form of suspicious activity is reported promptly to the state government.
We believe that traditional institutions play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in our communities.” Olayiwola said.
He urged new Baales to shun any act that capable of truncating the existing peace in their domains.
Former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and other stakeholders in Oyo town appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for the elevation of the Chiefs to Baale of their respective communities.
While speaking on behalf of the local government Chairmen in Oyo zone, the Executive Chairman of Atiba local government, Hon. Wahab Waliu Adetunji Wabkem lauded His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde FNSE for making the impossible, possible based on his sustainable development legacy towards approval and elevation of the Oyo Baales and Chiefs to recognized Chieftaincies.
He admonished the newly upgraded Baale and chiefs to embrace unity, peace, honesty, truth, and dignity and also proved themselves as role models in various domains.
Responding on behalf of the other 12 Baales, Elepe of Iseke, Chief Femi Oyekan thanked the Oyo state government for the honor bestowed on them and promised to work harmoniously with their Local Government to foster unity and peace in their respective communities.
The newly elevated Baale Includes Elepe of Iseke, Onisokun of Isokun, Baale Idoode, Baale Gudugbu, Baale Ojongbodu and Baale Akeetan
Others are; Baale Apaara ,Baale Ajagba,Baale Aguo,Olotefon Of Otefon , Baale Of Ago-oja and Baale Imeleke of Oyo.
The event was graced by Òyó assembly Chief Whip, Hon. Gbenga Joseph Oyekola, three council chairmen in Oyo town, Hon. Oluokun Peter Olusola (Oyo East), Hon. Prince Akeem Salam Babatunde Olukitibi (Oyo West), Hon. Wahab Waliu Adetunji Wabkem (Atiba), political stakeholders, community leaders, and some members of Oyo Mesi in the council.
