Libelous Publication: Erekiti-Luwoye Community, Opinion Leaders Tender Public Apology to Deputy Governor, Chieftaincy Commissioner
The Council of Chiefs and prominent opinion leaders of the Erekiti-Luwoye community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have tendered an unreserved and unconditional public apology to the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olaide Adelami, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro. This apology comes in response to a malicious and libelous publication made against these public servants.
The offending publication, credited to Mr. Samson Akinniran and High Chief Babatunde Faniyi, was published by NAIJA PARROTS Media Organization on September 5, 2024.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Akure on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and signed by High Chief Gabriel Okunuwa (the Lokusola of Erekiti-Luwoye), Chief S.A. Enisan (the Ajilawo of Erekiti-Luwoye), Chief M.O. Fadayomi (the Oshodi of Erekiti-Luwoye), Chief J.O. Fasusi (the Bashorun of Erekiti-Luwoye), and High Chief Babatunde Faniyi (the Olowodunjoye of Erekiti-Luwoye), the community leaders expressed their regret and distanced themselves from the publication’s contents. The statement was also copied to the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The statement reads:
“In full compliance with Your Excellency’s directives contained in your deserved response published on September 6, 2024, via NAIJA PARROTS, to the libelous publication made by two of our sons, who misrepresented their opinions as that of the Olu of Erekiti-Luwoye, we hereby tender, on their behalf, our total, unreserved, and unequivocal public apology to our esteemed leader, Dr. Olaide Adelami, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience the said publication may have caused, both to the public and to the private reputations of these reputable public servants. The malicious and unsubstantiated allegations of bribery against the Deputy Governor and the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the libelous publication in no way reflect the views or opinions of the generality of Erekiti-Luwoye.”
While acknowledging the family ties between Mr. Samson Akinniran, High Chief Babatunde Faniyi, and the throne of Olu of Erekiti-Luwoye, the leaders strongly dissociated the ruling houses of the Lemegha/Luwoye Family and the broader community from the contents of the defamatory publication.
“We fully condemn the publication in its entirety and apologize profusely to the Government of Ondo State, particularly to the office of the Deputy Governor and the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.”
The community’s leadership further noted that Mr. Samson Akinniran had been directed to retract the publication from social media. Apologies have also been issued across various media platforms, including national television and radio broadcasts on NTA and Radio Nigeria Positive FM 102.5.
In the same way, the community leadership confirmed that all planned protests involving men, women, youths, and churches in the area had been called off following a conciliatory address delivered by Alhaji Amidu Takuro at the gate of the Governor’s office on September 4, 2024.
The statement also made reference to the historic “Ikale Assessment Reports” published in 1932, which is regarded as the authoritative record of the customs and traditions of the Osooro people. A synopsis of this report has been submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further consideration and action.