By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Aresaadu of Iresaadu, Oba Abraham Oyerinde, has appealed to his community for calm over the lingering chieftaincy issues surrounding the traditional stool, assuring his subjects that he will continue his ongoing dialogue and administrative engagements with the government.
He expressed confidence that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, will intervene and bring a decisive end to the dispute despite various favourable court judgments.
Recounting the genesis of the impasse, the monarch noted that the administrative journey for his installation advanced significantly around May 24, 2019, toward the end of the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“My journey on Iresaadu started on May 24, 2019, when Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi, may his soul rest in peace was finishing his tenure,” Oba Oyerinde stated, noting that all necessary approvals and documentation were completed during that period.
However, despite due process being followed and requisite approvals secured under the former administration, the transition of government stalled the formal presentation of his entitlements.
Explaining how the incoming administration handled the matter, the monarch lamented, “Everything had been approved by the first administration but when the new government came in, they did not execute it.”
Oba Oyerinde pointed out that the situation birthed multiple legal battles, navigating through various court sessions from 2021 onwards.
He highlighted that a landmark High Court judgment delivered on February 2, 2021, explicitly directed the state government to recognize him as the substantive Aresaadu and release his entitlements, a ruling he maintains has faced unwarranted administrative delays.
Further reinforcing his legal standing, another High Court judgment on March 24, 2023, dismissed rival claims to the stool, while an appeal filed against the judgment was voluntarily withdrawn by the opposing party on May 2, 2024.
Expressing deep concern over ongoing attempts by certain quarters to bypass subsisting judicial pronouncements, the royal father urged Governor Makinde to use his executive authority to uphold the rule of law.
“We are appealing to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to use his good offices to bring an end to this lingering dispute, respect court judgments, and direct the relevant ministries to do what is right,” Oba Oyerinde stated.
Reiterating his call for peace among the people of Iresaadu, the monarch emphasized that he remains committed to constructive dialogue and administrative engagements with the state government, confident that Governor Makinde’s timely intervention will permanently lay the crisis to rest, reinforce public confidence in the judiciary, and usher in enduring peace and grassroots development across Surulere Local Government Area.
