Owa in Council denies approving "Elemu of Otan-Ayegbaju.

The traditional institution in Otan-Ayegbaju, headquarters of Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun state, has denied involvement in the...

The traditional institution in Otan-Ayegbaju, headquarters of Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun state, has denied involvement in the installation of anybody as "Elemu of Otan-Ayegbaju".

The Owa in Council in a statement tagged "Rejoinder Against the Unlawful Installation of new Elemu by Elemu Family in Otan-Ayegbaju, and signed by HRM, Oba Lukman Adesola Ojo Fadipe, Arenibiowo Olatanka 111, Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju and made available to newsmen, said there is no body called "Melu" as claimed by one Simeon Akinloye Salako.

According to the rejoinder, an online publication, purportedly sponsored by Salako, has claimed that Elemu is one of the three principal "Melu" (the body which comprises 15 members that constitute the highest advisory body to the Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju.

Owa in Council said "there is no such body in the hierarchy of the Otan-Ayegbaju Traditional Institute called "Melu. Neither is there any advisory body to the Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju other than the Iwarefas (the highest, and the traditional council).

The rejoinder reads in part: "A release on the social network tagged 'City Mirror' please purportedly issued by one Simeon Akinloye Salako on Thursday 5th April, 2018, informing the public of the installation of a new Elemu of Otan-Ayegbaju scheduled for 6th April, 2018.

"Attached to the publication in question was the picture of Kabiesi Oba Lukman Adesola Ojo Fadipe Arenibiowo Olatanka 111, the Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, depicting the purported installation as having the authority of Kabiyesi.

"The Kabiesi, Iwarefas (kingmakers) and the entire traditional council have given no authority or consent, and therefore reject the content of the publication in its entirety.

The release notes that Kabiesi has reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer for necessary action in order to avoid breakdown of law and order.

It noted that only the Owa, as custodian of traditions and customs in Otan-Ayegbaju, has the exclusive and final authority on the conferment of honorary and traditional titles on groups, and individuals as deemed fit and proper.

It explained that the authority to install any traditional chief is usually exercised in consultation with the Iwarefas which according to the rejoinder are Obaala, Saloro, Asao, Odofin, Risawe and Osuta.

"The release by Simeon Akinloye Salako is capable of not only misleading the public, but also calculated attempt to cause chaos, disaffection and disruption of the peaceful atmosphere currently prevailing in Otan-Ayegbaju as it attempts to stand the history of Otan-Ayegbaju on its head".