Tension Mounts in Oke-Igbo: Legal Petition Calls for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Intervention in Chieftaincy Dispute
The brewing chieftaincy dispute in Oke-Igbo, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area, has taken a new turn as the Kuole Oloje Ruling Quarter/Ruling House has called on the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene in the matter to avert potential chaos and a breakdown of peace in the community.
In a petition dated December 24, 2024, addressed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, legal representatives of the Kuole Oloje Ruling House, Victoria Law Castle, accused officials of the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of acting in contempt of court. The petition alleges that efforts are being made to appoint a new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo despite pending court cases.
The lawyers highlighted that there are unresolved applications for interlocutory injunctions before the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, and the High Court of Justice, Ile-Oluji Judicial Division. These applications, they argue, restrain all parties from proceeding with the chieftaincy appointment process until the legal disputes are resolved.
The petition further referenced a landmark Supreme Court decision, Military Governor, Lagos State v. Ojukwu (2001), emphasizing that parties must refrain from taking actions that undermine pending court proceedings.
The ruling house expressed concern over the alleged actions of the Ministry and Local Government, warning that their clients and supporters might not remain passive if their rights are disregarded. They called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to exercise his authority by halting the process to maintain peace and prevent potential anarchy in Oke-Igbo.
“We appeal to your Excellency to call both the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government to order. Our clients, with their teeming supporters, are not ready to take passive inaction while their rights are being trampled upon,” the petition reads.
The Kuole Oloje Ruling House has urged the Governor to act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating further and to uphold the rule of law in the state.
As of the time of this report, no official response has been received from the Ondo State Government. Residents of Oke-Igbo anxiously await Governor Aiyedatiwa’s action on this matter, as the community strives to avoid a potential crisis.