The Olu of Orile Ilawo, Abeokuta, Oba Alexander MacGregor, has pushed aside 10 chiefs for allegedly promoting 1,600 acres of family land in Alagbagba and atmosphere boxes inside Odeda Native Executive Branch of Ogun Shape.
The ones pushed aside come with the Oluwo of Ilawo, Oluwole Dosunmu; the Balogun of Ilawo, Abraham Soyoye; and the Jagunna of Ilawo, Fatai Sodimu, at the side of seven alternative chiefs.
Addressing newshounds on Saturday at his palace, the monarch, accompanied by means of alternative chiefs, expressed his dismay over what he described because the chiefs’ put out of your mind for his authority because the Olu of Orile Ilawo.
Consistent with him, the pushed aside chiefs were appearing only in their very own hobby, promoting communal land with out correct authorisation from the prescribed authority, which he claims is living only with him.
Oba MacGregor defined, “These chiefs have been selling land — over 1,600 acres—without my authorisation. They are not representing the interests of Ilawo but rather their own, engaging in illegal land sales that deprive people of their rightful heritage.”
The monarch additional highlighted the historic virtue of the Ilawo stool, noting that it predates the status quo of Abeokuta.
“The Ilawo stool is historic, relationship again sooner than the formation of Abeokuta in 1830. Ilawo has all the time been a family united by means of shared customs and traditions. It isn’t subordinate to the Osile of Oke Ona Egba.
“I am the Olu of Orile Ilawo kingdom and the prescribed authority over all areas associated with Ilawo, whether in Odeda, Abeokuta North, Ewekoro, Ifo, or Obafemi. Our people have settled in these areas for generations, observing our customs, and I am responsible for overseeing these lands and their people,” he mentioned.
MacGregor insisted that the Osile of Oke Ona may no longer employment because the prescribed authority for Ilawo, as Ilawo already had its personal monarch.
He additionally warned the pushed aside chiefs to forbid the use of titles corresponding to Oluwo, Balogun, and Jagunna of Ilawo, announcing that they now not stock authentic reputation underneath his authority.
The monarch condemned the movements of the pushed aside chiefs, pronouncing their behaviour undermines the “Omoluabi” values of the Ilawo community.
“I cannot stand by and allow the reputation of Ilawo to be tarnished by land-grabbing activities,” he stated.
In reaction, the Oluwo of Ilawo, Oluwole Dosunmu, talking in the name of the pushed aside chiefs, denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that any movements taken by means of the chiefs had the entire favor of the family.
Dosunmu mentioned, “We have done nothing wrong, and whatever we have done has community backing. We hold certificates as recognised chiefs from the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso.”
He expressed miracle on the allegations, mentioning that the chiefs handiest discovered about them throughout the media. “We were surprised to hear on the radio that we’ve been accused of selling land at Alagbagba. We haven’t received any official communication from the monarch regarding these allegations.”
He concluded, “I have spoken to the other chiefs, and we will decide how to respond, either by holding a meeting with journalists or releasing a statement to clarify our position.”