By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has urged traditional rulers across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state to act within their jurisdictions in order to avoid any communal crises in the state.
Governor Akeredolu, who made the appeal on Saturday while presenting an instrument of appointment and staff of office to newly Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, in Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of the state, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, however, said he would not hesitate to deal decisively with any traditional ruler caught indulging in act of lawlessness in the state.
Recall that the stool of Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko became vacant after the demise of Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin on Sept. 1 2020.
Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa added that any traditional ruler that was dissatisfied with any decision on chieftaincy matters should seek redress in the court of law instead of taking laws into their hands.
The governor also urged the newly installed traditional ruler, Adegbite-Adedoyin to exhibit high level of integrity in the discharge of his responsibility and should focus his attention on his area of jurisdiction in the town.
“At this juncture, I wish to express my utmost displeasure over the recent mayhem that erupted in this community over the removal and subsequent appointment of the new Olokoja
“We are all aware of the current state insecurity in this country, therefore, under no circumstance shall we tolerate another wave of killing of innocent citizens and wanton destruction of properties over any security issue in the community, much less of any minor chieftaincy matter,” he said.
He, however, urged the traditional rulers to take security matters seriously towards ending criminalities in their domains.
According to him, government alone could not end crime hence the need for support of monarchs to secure the land saying “we are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals.
In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Owa-Ale of Ikare, Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin assured the government and people of Ondo state that he would do everything possible to bring development to the town.
“Going memory lane, this is the 18th Owa-Ale in lkare since my progenitors migrated from lle-lfe, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people, (Oduduwa). Permit me to mention that Obaship assignment, like any other leadership role, is a call to selfless service.
“Having accepted my unanimous selection to assume the throne of my forefathers and lead the good people of Ikare land as the Owa-Ale Adimula, I promise, by God’s grace, not to disappoint you,” the monarch said.