Seyi Makinde suspends traditional ruler indefinitely

Without stating the reason behind his action, the Oyo state government under Governor Seyi Makinde has suspended Oba Gbolagade Babalola (Gbadewolu I) as the Onido of Ido in Ido local government area of the state.

,,,,,,,The suspension was announced on Friday, in a letter dated February 2, 2024 and signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola.

Olayiwola disclosed that Makinde approved the suspension on February 1, 2024.

However, the reasons and the duration of the suspension were not stated.

,,,,,According to the statement, the monarch was directed to hand over all government property in his possession to the chairman of the local government.

,,,,,,The statement read, “I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by virtue of all other enabling powers in that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.”

,,,,,,,It could be recalled that In 2018, Babalola engaged in a dispute with deposed Baale Tajudeen Agura, who asserted his legitimacy as the Onido of Ido due to his Agura lineage.

…..In response, Babalola noted that his great-grandfather’s appointment of the first Agura as Baale of Ido was based on their longstanding friendship.

Meanwhile, Makinde on Wednesday signed Executive Order 001, which deals with handling and storage of harmful substances.

,,,,,,Makinde said the executive order became imperative in view of the 16 January explosion at Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital, due to storage of explosives.

,,,,He said such incident would not reoccur in the state with the executive order in existence, saying that it would take its full course on anyone that violated it.

……The executive order, a copy of which was made available to journalists, directs that henceforth, there must be mandatory notification and comprehensive inventory of harmful articles or substances of any kind, that can be detonated by pressure, heat, impact trigger, fuse, proximity, timing-device etc.

,,,,Part of the executive order indicates that all individuals resident in, and companies operating within Oyo State in possession of timing-device, remote control or how so ever irrespective of quantity or purpose, or hazard characteristics, are mandated to immediately notify the governor’s Special Adviser on Security, of such possession.

,,…,,,The executive order authorised the Security Special Adviser, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and any other relevant security agencies to ensure compliance with and enforce the provisions of the order.

,,,,,,,The Deputy Governor, Olalekan Lawal; Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo, and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, among others, witnessed the signing of the Executive Order.