Amosun, OBJ unite Egba Obas

THE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and foremost industrialist, Chief Olatunde Abudu have been able to reconcile four notable traditional rulers in Egbaland after a strife that lasted many years.The four traditional rulers, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso; the Agura of Gbagura; Oba (Dr) Halidu Olaloko and the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr) Adegboyega Dosunmu, at a meeting held at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta, on Saturday, resolved to bury their differences and work in unison to promote peace and stability in Egbaland.

Sunday Tribune gathered that there had been an age long leadership tussle among the traditional rulers, which had degenerated into crisis in Egbaland.

Others present at the meeting, which lasted close to two hours, were the Deputy Governor (Operations), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tunde Lemo and the Bagbimo of Egbaland, Chief Femi Majekodunmi.

Governor Amosun, in his remarks, said that the move to resolve the differences among the monarchs was to ensure that Egbaland remained united.

He added that there should be no discrimination among the four sections of Egbaland, thereby enjoining them to sheathe their swords and be more concerned with what would make Egbaland more glorious.

“Egbaland is the cradle of civilisation. We have recorded a lot of firsts in Egbaland. We believe that Egbaland is always in the forefront in South-West Nigeria.

“On November 3, 2012, I gave our Babas, Chief Obasanjo, Shonekan and Abudu the charge to reconcile our royal fathers so as to foster unity in Egbaland and that is what we are witnessing today. The unity that has eluded us a long time ago is of the past from now on. We will be going into the New Year as a united people.

“I only created a platform for all the royal fathers to purge their misgivings and settle their differences once and for all. We need unity in order to prosper more. Our forebears were very united, and they did very well. This is the right time to unite in order to nurture the development of the race and entire state,” Amosun said.

Chief Obasanjo, who also spoke at the meeting, commended the initiative of Amosun for the step taken to ensure that peace and tranquility reigned among the monarchs.

He said: “If we have to tell you the story of how we got to where we are today, you will see what I call the divine hand of God.

“When the governor gave us the task on November 3, I believed many of us had no hope that we could get to this level. There’s no doubt in my mind that our Kabiyesis are genuine in what we have achieved today. In whatever human beings are doing, there are likely to be frictions.

“I know that this reconciliation will last for a number of reasons. I was with the monarchs; I read their lips and body languages and I knew they were genuine. God assisted us in achieving this feat. This reconciliation will last because it was placed on God’s foundation.”

Oba Gbadebo, who read a two-page communiqué, signed by other traditional rulers, said that the traditional rulers have agreed to sink all their differences and henceforth work together in harmony.

“After achieving what the committee regarded as full reconciliation on all issues that have been causing rancour and dissatisfaction among the Obas, the Obas thereby agreed to sink all their differences and henceforth work together in harmony.

“They thanked the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his foresight and effort,” the Alake added.