By James Ogunnaike

THE Olu of Orile -Ilawo in Odeda local government area of Ogun State, Oba Alexander MacGregor, has said that he sacked 10 title chiefs of Ilawo to save no fewer than six villages from going into extinction.

Oba MacGregor also dismissed the rumour making rounds that he is at loggerhead with the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, saying that it is the handiwork of mischief-makers.

Oba MacGregor was speaking against the backdrop of the recent indefinite suspension of 10 chiefs who were sacked for allegedly selling more than 1,600 acres of land, belonging to six villages, as well as disloyalty and insubordination.

The monarch stated that the suspended chiefs were title holders in Ilawo not of another town which empowered him as a traditional ruler to suspend any earring chief according to native law and custom.

Oba MacGregor said: “This people have wiped out more than six villages in Ilawo through their unscrupulous act.”

On the allegation that they had become chiefs before his ascendance as traditional ruler, he said: “Osile of Oke-Ona Egba was once  a prescribed authority during the Ilawo interregnum period, this is the  norms in any traditional settings, for every kingdom that does not have king you must have a prescribed authority, who has very limited role to play in your kingdom.

“If they disagreed with the way and manner he removed them, they should go to court for proper adjudication on the matter.

“The suspension of the ten chiefs stands and when they are ready to explain the reason for their position, they would be reinstated. They need to come back to the Ilawo palace for that purpose and not anybody’s palace.

“I am fighting to prevent the genocide of my native community. All this atrocities are committed at the villages in Orile Ilawo, I cannot sit here as the king and wash handful of people committing genocide.”