The Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere local government area in Oyo state, Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde has appealed to governor Seyi Makinde to prevail on the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters to accord him respect and pay all his entitlements.
The traditional ruler made this declaration while addressing a press conference held at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Ibadan at the weekend.
The traditional ruler was presented staff of office by the state government on 24th May, 2019.
The traditional ruler has however said that the ministry of local government and chieftaincy Matters has been denying him his entitlements and has failed to accord him respect and recognition as traditional ruler.
The monarch who spoke through his counsel, Barrister Stephen Raji maintained that his ascended the throne of his forefathers on May 24, 2019 and was given instrument of office in obedience to a Court of Appeal judgment delivered in 2015 in Appeal No CA/1/291/2002 after legal advice was issued by the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
He said that the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters has since then, failed to recognise and pay all his entitlements, even after several letters demanding the entitlements have been written.
He added that many letters have been sent to the governor but the letters were not allowed to get to the table of the governor.
He noted that the inability of the people who received the letter to take the letter to the governor’s table made his to approach the media to express his grievances through the press conference.
The traditional ruler concluded by appealing to the governor to intervene and prevail on the ministry to accord him the recognition and pay all his entitlements.
“HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde’s appointment was approved by the State Government on May 24, 2019 as the Aresaadu of Iresaadu, after compliance with due process in the selection process. However, it has come to light that a senior government official’s surreptitious roles have unduly interfered with the necessary recognition being accorded the Oba and payment of his entitlements.
“Many of these letters were not allowed to get to the table of the Governor and the only one that got the attention of Governor Makinde was promptly treated with a clear directive that the issue be promptly investigated. This directive has not been carried out till date.
“Also, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice has issued three (3) legal advices recommending the immediate payment of the entitlements of the Aresaadu of Iresaadu and according him recognition as an Oba, yet there has been no compliance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
“The current Aresaadu of Iresaadu from Osunbiyi Ruling House was appointed on May 24, 2019 and given Instrument of Office, in obedience to a Court of Appeal judgment delivered in 2015 in Appeal No CA/1/291/2002 after legal advice was issued by the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. However, the Ministry of Local Government has since not recognized nor paid the entitlements of the Aresaadu even after several letters demanding the entitlements.
“Before coming to the press, efforts have been made to seek audience with the current Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to express the frustrations of Oba Olafimihan Oyerinde at three separate follow-up meetings but all failed to achieve any meaningful results. That His Excellency, the Governor in his characteristic manner steps in to investigate these grievous allegations and let justice prevail. That His Excellency would call for and peruse the Court rulings and legal counsels from the Ministry of Justice on this matter.
“Ensure the Aresaadu, HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde is rightfully recognized according to court rulings and duly compensated with his arrears accordingly. That His Excellency use his highly revered office to ensure such travesty of Justice in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters are stopped and should not be allowed to rear its ugly head again”.