Kogi chieftaincy tussle: Ilajo Royal family rejects new palace for Obaro of Kabba

 

To avoid a breakdown of law and order, the Ilajo Royal family of Kabba has called on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to allow the full determination of the Obaro Chieftaincy suit pending in the law court before proceeding to build another palace in the town.

The Ilajo Royal family, during a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Aoffin palace, Kabba, said the palace has been existing since over 200 years ago and has housed more than 15 different Obaros and wondered why a new palace will be built at this point in time when litigation over the Obaro tussle is still pending in court.

Addressing newsmen, the spokesman of the family and Secretary Ilajo Planning Committee, High Chief Peter Oloba said the family was surprised when the current Obaro of Kabba, Chief Dele Owoniyi on the occasion of Kabba cultural day celebration said there is no existing palace in the town.

He said it was a calculated attempt to distort the historical facts of the ancient town.

The family, while conducting newsmen round the tombs of over 15 Obaros who reigned, died and were buried within the palace, said it was an aberration to say Kabba has no palace even when the first Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Fredrick Lugard and some past Nigerian leaders like General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and vice president Yemi Osibanjob had visited the palace at different times.

According to the spokesman of the family, “We see this distortion as a deliberate act of causing confusion and as usual, a way of distorting the historical facts and age-long tradition and culture of Owe land by insinuating that there is no palace in Kabba.

“We hereby set the records straight, and wish to state categorically without equivocation, that Kabba Town has always had a Palace, a significant paraphernalia of Royalty and the centre point of Owe culture and tradition. And this is the palace of Obaros of Kabba.”

While stating the names and dates of some of the Obaros that reigned, died and were buried in the Palace, he mentioned Obaro Baba Mokelu, (1870) Obaro Baba Ajinuhi, (1870), Obaro Baba Gbayero Ajibohokun, (1923) Obaro Atikekerejolu Oluyori,(1928) and Obaro Obamudi Olu Owe Arokoyo, (1932).

Others he said are, Obaro Obafakun Olobayo Ero1, (1936),Obaro Olle Akikan Ajibohokun, (1942), Obaro Ologbonyo Arokoyo, (1957) and Obaro Michael F.S. Olobayo, Ero2, (2016).

Continuing he said, “We therefore believe that the Kogi State Government should not get involved in an issue that is not unconnected with the matter in courts of the land.

“Finally, we of Ilajo, the Royal Family of Kabba, Oweland are praying the Kogi State Government to allow for the full determination of the subsisting court case before a decision regarding palace is made.

“This plan, if implemented now, is capable of generating avoidable tension and can, therefore, put law and order into jeopardy.”