Posted by By Jide Osokoya on
Following reports, this morning, that the Ogun state government may depose the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, for his public criticism of the Ogun state government, the Alake-in-Council has described the news as a ruse.
Following reports, this morning, that the Ogun state government may depose the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, for his public criticism of the Ogun state government, the Alake-in-Council has described the news as a ruse.
Some of the top members of the Egba highest decision making body who spoke with P.M.News this morning, dismissed the lead report on the front page of a national newspaper today, saying it was a dream that would never materialise.
They wondered how the comment of the Alake on the deplorable condition of some roads in the capital city could lead to his being dethroned as the paramount ruler of the town.
'I think Daniel and his men are overflogging this issue by making it fester beyond its value, while we are trying to amicably settle the whole issue and allow peace to reign. Nobody toys with the traditional institution, even if the person is older than the Oba,' said an embittered high chief who did not want his name mentioned.
The Seriki of Egbaland and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Dr. (Chief) Abdul'Lateef Adegbite, said he was shocked to hear the story of the planned deposition of Alake this morning, quickly adding that he does not believe the story.
When reminded that the story was the lead in the Gbenga Daniel-owned newspaper, Nigerian Compass, Dr. Adegbite said: 'then, let's wait and see, but I don't want to believe that, because there is no basis for Alake's deposition.'
Probed further on whether such a move by the government was proper, Adegbite said 'we don't need to expose our strategy on the pages of newspaper. When we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.'
In his own comment, a prominent Egba politician, who preferred anonymity, said 'what would he say Alake has done? How will he depose the Alake? He is only trying to harass the man.
'Egbas know how to deal with such a governor. We are waiting, let him try it and know that Egbas speak with one voice.'
In the same vein, the Egba Collective in Nigeria and The Diaspora (ECONID) has strongly condemned the campaign of calumny, conspiracy and contempt orchestrated by governor Gbenga Daniel against the revered personality of the Alake of Egbaland.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Soyemi Adeniyi, tagged: ‘Gbenga Daniel's Thoughtless War On The Alake of Egbaland,' ECONID said, 'we believe the recent attack on the Alake by a lackey of the governor is a declaration of war on the Egba people.
'Let it be known to OGD and his fellow travellers that OGD's drum of war has come alive, but the dance steps will require more courage than he could ever imagine. Sons and daughters of legendary Lisabi Agbongboakala are duly sensitised and mobilised, and would be greatly disappointed if OGD and his men chicken out when the moon comes full circle.
'Gbenga Daniel has committed sacrilege by the abuse and contempt meted on our royal father, Oba Gbadebo Aremu. The attack on Egba kinsmen is unfounded and unwarranted. We thank God that the achievements of Segun Osoba remain and are there for all to see and compare.'
Before the news of the plot to remove the Alake started flying around this morning, the Alake-in-Council had been holding crucial meetings at the Ake Palace since Monday, trying to find a lasting solution to the confrontation between their Oba and the state government.
After the Monday meeting, which lasted into very late in the night (around 10 p.m.), it was resolved that the government had no right to rubbish the traditional institution, no matter the comment made by Alake.
'In as much as we want to maintain a cordial relationship between the traditional institution and the government, we believe it was wrong for the government to respond the way it did, so we insist that they must apologise to Alake,' one of the high chiefs told P.M.News after rising from the meeting.
While the Egbas insist that gov. Daniel must apologise to the Alake, the state government on its part is said to be perfecting its plan to dethrone the monarch for alleged betrayal of trust. Impeccable sources close to the Oke-Mosan governor's office said that the public criticism of the government by the Alake was seen as one of the steps towards impeaching Daniel.
According to our source, 'before this face-off, Alake and Oga (Daniel) had been the best of friends, with the Alake getting special benefits from the governor. The governor was, however, shocked that Alake could make a public statement on the bad roads which had been listed as one of the impeachable offences committed by Daniel by the state legislators.
'Oga believes strongly that with such action, Alake is part of the plot to impeach him and he is not taking it lightly, despite the fact that Alake had come here to apologise to him,' the source disclosed.
When contacted on the development, Alake simply told P.M.News that he had been advised by the Alake-in-Council not to comment further on the issue for now. Probed further, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo said: 'I will speak at the appropriate time.'
Asked whether it was true he went to apologise to gov. Daniel, Alake said, 'no comment.' Meanwhile, P.M.News has reliably gathered that all aides of governor Gbenga Daniel may be subjected to taking a traditional oath of secrecy at his Sagamu home, this weekend, following a suspicion that most of the information being published in the newspapers emanated from the governor's office.
In a related development, the Seriki of Egbaland, Chief (Dr.) Lateef Adegbite, has replied the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, for his unsolicited verbal assault on the Alake of Egbaland. Says Adegbite, a member of the Alake-in-Council: 'I am highly disappointed in the Akarigbo for his unguarded utterances against a fellow royal father like Alake. It's rather unfortunate for royalty to descend that low.
'How could he have likened Alake to a civil servant, when it is known all over the world that the traditional institution is not only independent, but naturally supreme. When have obas become civil servants?' The Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, at a news conference, in Sagamu, condemned the Alake for publicly criticising the Ogun state government.