Obaro Chieftaincy Crisis: Three Ruling Houses Urge Kogi Gov to Halt Coronation

• Public Complaint Commission receives 100 cases monthly in the state

Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

As Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is set for the coronation of the new Obaro of Kabba, Chief Dele Owoniyi, the three ruling houses of the Ilajo Royal family have called on the governor to stop the planned coronation.

This is coming as the Public Complaint Commission in the state has stated that it receives an average of about 100 complaints bordering on administrative injustices from members of the public in the state every month.

Bello is expected to install the new Obaro of Kabba this coming weekend in Kabba.

According to the three ruling houses the coronation of Owoniyi as the new Obaro of Kabba should be stopped to avoid break down of law and order.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital yesterday, and signed by the heads of the three ruling houses of the Ilajo Royal family, the groups said the planned coronation and presentation of staff of office was a clear affront to the rule of law and a gross negation to natural justice as the case was still pending before a competent court of jurisdiction.

The three heads of the ruling houses who jointly signed the press statement are Chief Stephen Ojo Bebeyi , Chief Paul Toluhi and Chief Mark Olowosayo for the Ajibohokun, Ajinuhi and Mokelu ruling houses, respectively .

The statement urged the governor not to allow himself to be coerced into presenting the staff of office to Owoniyi when the court has not made final pronouncement over the case.

The statement recalled that shortly after the announcement of Owoniyi by the state government as the Obaro, the Ilajo Royal family vehemently rejected the choice and made this known to the government, which in turn turned a deaf ear to their grievance.

Based on this, it said the Royal family had no alternative than to head to the court for redress which subsequently granted an order restraining the Chief from parading himself as the Obaro and the state government from taking further action on the case.

The statement said at no time did the Ilajo Royal family withdrew from the pursuit of the case as being bandied around, stressing that the family was prepared to lawfully and peacefully pursue the case till logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, the Public Complaint Commission has said that it receives an average of about 100 complaints bordering on administrative injustices from members of the public in the state.

The Commissioner of the Commission, Mr. Otitoju Oladiti made this known yesterday in Lokoja after a road walk to mark the 43rd anniversary of the commission.

He noted that more people had been trooping out to lodge their complaints following the increased awareness and sensitization campaigns carried out across the state.

He said most of the cases received bordered mainly on wrongful dismissal from service; non-payment of compensations for landed property; non-payment of salaries, pensions and other benefits to workers and pensioners, amongst others.

Otitoju said that a number of the complaints had been resolved while others are still pending.