The Mogajis, Princes and High Ranking Chiefs of Aresa-adu of Iresa-Adu Royal Families of Surulere Local Government area have rejected the appointment of the Olugbon of Igbon as the chairman of surulere traditional council by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Members of the royal families, in a statement jointly signed and made available to OYOINSIGHT.COM, noted that the Governor’s appointment is unacceptable as it places the Olugbon above the Iresa-Adu, which they describe as a disregard of available historical records.
“At first glance, we were dismissive of the said news as the handiworks of mischief makers who are bent on setting an otherwise peaceful local government on fire and give your administration a bad name, since the purported appointment have no pedestal to stand upon.
“Nonetheless, if the appointment was truly made by your Excellency, it will be imprudent to fold our hand and keep quiet while our heritage is being stolen. Hence wechoose to employ this medium to inform your Excellency that the Aresa-adu of Iresa-adu Royal Families rejects the appointment of Olugbon of Orile–Igbon as the Permanent Chairman of SuruLere Local Government and also his prescribed authority over chiefs who have been under Aresa-adu suzerainty for more than 400 years and we urge your Excellency to reverse the appointment.
”There was no time in history when Aresa was subordinate to Olugbon. In fact, Iresa the town where Aresa reigns was at a period in history chief town of Ibolo Province comprising of Ede, Ofa, Oyan, Okuku and Ikirun.
“Please refer to pages 15and 30 of the “History of the Yorubas” by The Rev. Samuel Johnson. Aresa status in history is over and above many of the prominent Obas (Awujale of Ijebu, Ataoja of Oshogbo Timi of Ede, Akirun of Ikirun to mentioned just a few) in other Yoruba State. Please refer to Page 25 of the of the “History of the Yorubas” by The Rev. Samuel Johnson.
ii. Historically, both Olugbon and Aresa were provincial kings of Alaafin of Oyo and one was not superior to the other. Please refer to page 180 of the “History of the Yorubas” by The Rev. Samuel Johnson.. They are equal in rank although aresa control more land. They left Ile-ife at the same. Aresa from Ilodequarters and Olugbon from Ilare quarters. During the imperialism of Alaafin Aresa was the head of IboloProvince and Olugbon the head of Ekun Osi.(copy attached as APPENDIX C)
iii. Olugbon and Aresa shared boundaries which weredelimited several centuries ago vide a covenant freely enter into. Successive Olugbon and Aresahave always maintain mutual respect for their suzerainties and none has dare (until at least the latest attempt at affront) to cross into or meddle with the other territories.
iv. The equality of both Olugbon and Area-adu in Yoruba History is loudly proclaimed in many Yoruba songs and proverbs and no person verse in Yoruba customsand folklore will attempt to place one above the other. Realizing their equal status, previous government ensure that the Chairman of the Traditional Council is rotated among them,” their letter to the Governor read in part.
It added: “Based on the above historical facts and laws and other valid reason which we cannot state now, but which are ready to produce if call to do, we call upon your Excellency to immediately
1. reverse the appointment of Olugbon of Orile-Igbonas Permanent Chairman of Surulere Local Government Traditional Council as same is an aberration and revert back to the status quo (Rotation between Aresa-Adu and Olugbon on two year basis).
2. Scrutinize the list of towns over which Olugbon has been given prescribed authority and confine his authority to those chiefs that are traditionally under his suzerainty.
“The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon should not be allowed allowed to stab history on its head and take what does not belong to him simply because we don’t have an Aresa-adu on the throne presently.”
