- Safiu Kehinde
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has denied threatening members of the Council of Afobajes as he clarified the alleged confrontation between him and the kingmakers over the selection process for the vacant Awujale throne.
NPO Reported that the governor had yesterday suspended the selection process amid litigation cases surrounding the process.
Meanwhile, reports had emerged, claiming that the governor threatened the kingmakers.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations against the governor, labelling them as completely false and misleading.
Akinmade admitted that Abiodun held a consultative meeting with the Council of Afobajes.
He disclosed that the meeting was largely centered on matters of mutual concerns as it affects traditional affairs within Ijebuland as he refuted the claim of the governor threatening the kingmakers.
“The governor held a respectful consultative meeting with the Council of Afobajes, consistent with meetings he held in the past with the Olori Ebis that were hitherto polarized which fostered their harmonization and, through such earlier engagements, he also persuaded one of the kingmakers to withdraw a filed litigation.
“The discussions he had focused on matters of mutual concern in the interest of the progress in traditional affairs within Ijebuland,
“Contrary to the rumors, Governor Abiodun did not issue threats, ultimatums. Statements attributed to him, including ‘No Kuye, No Awujale,’ are entirely fabricated and bear no relation to the Governor or his administration.
“No Afobaje will attest to such an occurrence, as it never happened. This is once again the fabrication of falsehoods by mischief makers.” He said.
Akinmade reaffirmed Abiodun’s commitment to respecting the traditional institutions and ensuring a fair process in the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebu.
He urged members of the public and the media to disregard what he labelled ufounded insinuations.
“The governor remains committed to upholding due process, respecting the autonomy of traditional institutions, and ensuring a fair process in the selection of a new Awujale for Ijebu. His administration continues to prioritize dialogue, harmony, and the preservation of cultural values,” the statement read.
“We all know how highly the Governor holds the throne of Awujale which he has consistently demonstrated. Members of the public, traditional stakeholders, and the media are urged to disregard these unfounded insinuations and rely solely on verified information from official sources,” Akinmade added.