An Ondo High Court sitting in Okitipupa, area of the state on Thursday, January 19, 2023, has restrained the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, from proceeding with the process of recognizing and appointing a traditional ruler in Alagbon in Ilaje local government area of the state.
It also ruled that the governor should stop the installation of any person as Gbogunron of Ugbo as a traditional ruler or community head until the determination of the suit.
The order given by Justice D. I Kolawole came in response to the suit filed by a former Commissioner for Information in the state, High Chief Isaiah Demehin, challenging the recognition of the Gbogunron family in Ugbo, saying they are not indigenous to the Alagbon community.
In Suit N0 HOK/76/2022 filed on the 13th December 2022, by Demehin and Chief Malon Ogebe, on behalf of the Founders and Ruling Families of Alagbon, dragged Akeredolu and Chief Wole Uroaye to Court over the traditional stool of the community.
The claimants, among others, stated that “the Gbogunron family of Ugbo are not indigenous to Alagbon which was founded by Jagbale, the Asogbon of Ugbo and whose descendants and those of Olomade have from time immemorial, consistently and exclusively produced the Baale of the community under the Prescribed Authority of the Olugbo of Ugbo”.
They stated that Gbogunron family’s secret Memorandum was rejected by the Justice Ajama Commission of Inquiry but accused “a member of the State Executive Council of influencing the decision of the Council to recognize his stranger Gbogunron family”.
Ruling on the motion for Interim Injunction by the claimant’s counsel, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, Justice D. I Kolawole, said: “the Court restrained the state and the Ilaje Local Governments from recognising, countenancing or in any manner accord the status of an Oba in Alagbon or issue any document, letter, Instrument of appointment to that effect”.
The Court further restrained Chief Wole Uroaye, one of the defendants from wearing any apparel or in any manner parading himself or allow himself to be paraded as Gbogunron of Ugbo pending the determination of the Interlocutory injunction.
Justice Kolawole, has adjourned till 23rd January 2023 for further hearing on the suit.
Governor Akeredolu Appears In Public After Cancer Scare, Meets APC Leaders
Less than 24 hours after confirming his ill-health status, Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu appeared in public at a meeting with candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other leaders of the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
It was his first public appearance since fears were raised over his health status.
Akeredolu, at the meeting held in Akure on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, fixed dates for the flag-off of the party’s senatorial campaign rallies in the State.
Akeredolu fixed January 23 as date for the Ondo South senatorial campaign rally, January 30th for Ondo Central Senatorial district while that of Ondo North would hold on February 6.
He charged the party leaders and members to work hard for the coming elections.
The Governor also confidence the party would emerge victorious at the polls.
Ondo APC chairman Engr. Ade Adetimehin said the party would sustain the successes of the presidential campaign rally.
According to him: “From reports, the rally is adjudged the best. We must keep the tempo going. We have laid our hands on the plough and there is no looking back.
“The Presidential election is going to be ours, the Senate and House of Representatives are also going to be ours. We will win all the House of Assembly seats.
“We must work hard for this election.
Across the organs of the party, people love us because our people love the government. We can’t be pushed aside. We have a dependable and formidable leader.
“Our candidates are the best. We are going to give the best in term of the result. By the time the result is out, we will beat Lagos State. In beating Lagos State, we are talking about the percentage. We will count the total number of voters and the percentage won.
“During the last presidential election, people thought we lost the election, we didn’t lose. Because this state is progressive. There was crisis then, but today the party is United under Governor Akeredolu.”
Source: Vanguard
