Traditional leaders in Kemta, Ogun State, have dismissed reports that the Ile Ogboni of Kemta was shut down following an alleged internal crisis linked to the Ogun State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The traditional council described the report as false and politically motivated, insisting that the traditional institution remained open and functional.
The Oluwo of Kemta, Chief Abayomi Rotimi, made the clarification on Monday during a press conference held at the Ile Ogboni premises.
Rotimi challenged those circulating the closure claim to visit the traditional institution and ascertain the situation themselves.
He said the presence of journalists at the premises and the opening of the building in their presence had further demonstrated that there was no closure.
“They didn’t lock any place up. At least you have got here. It was in front of you that we opened it with the key, and we got inside,” the Oluwo said.
The traditional ruler also dismissed claims that the Kemta community had disowned Adeola over his political affiliation, insisting that the APC governorship candidate remained a legitimate son of the community.
“Yayi is one of us. He is our son,” Rotimi declared.
He urged politicians and their supporters to keep partisan politics away from the traditional institution, stressing that members of the community belonged to different political parties.
According to him, political differences should not be allowed to destroy the traditional bonds and communal relationships among the people.
Rotimi further expressed concern over what he described as the circulation of manipulated photographs and artificial intelligence-generated materials designed to create misleading impressions about developments in Kemta.
He urged the public to verify information before accepting or sharing materials circulating on social media, particularly when such materials concern traditional institutions and community leaders.
The Oluwo also rejected reports that he had been suspended from office, saying his recent engagements with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, contradicted the claim.
Rotimi said he met with the Alake on Friday and Saturday over a township-related matter and had only recently returned from the monarch’s palace.
“If I am suspended, the Alake is the paramount ruler of Egbaland. He should know about it,” he said.
The traditional ruler’s comments came amid reports of an alleged disagreement within the Kemta traditional institution, with political interpretations being attached to the development because of Adeola’s candidacy in the forthcoming Ogun governorship election.
However, Rotimi maintained that the traditional institution should remain above partisan politics, urging stakeholders to preserve the unity and dignity of the community.
He said the most important issue was for the people of Kemta to maintain their traditional values and communal ties irrespective of their political affiliations.
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