By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A deposed monarch, Oba Samuel Olatunji Kalejaiye, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North local government area of Ogun State, has appealed to the state government to correct what he described as a longstanding error in the 1959 registered Nloku of Iraye Chieftaincy Declaration.

The former traditional ruler is demanding the amendment of the name “Sugbada” to “Sugbodo,” insisting that the former does not exist in the royal lineage of Iraye town and was wrongly inserted into the official declaration.

The position of the ex-monarch was made known by counsel to the Sugbodo Royal Family, Prince Dipo Ilara, who disclosed in an interview that the family would soon approach the court to press home its demand.

In a pre-action notice to be served on the Ogun State government pursuant to Section 22(2) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, the lawyer maintained that the alleged error has continued to generate tension within the community and must be rectified in the interest of justice and lasting peace.

According to him, Iraye’s traditional structure recognises four authentic ruling houses entitled to produce the Nloku, namely: Somade, Sugbodo, Sowomade and Olubinjo.

“There is no ruling house known as ‘Sugbada’ in the history, custom or tradition of Iraye,” he said. “The name is alien to our royal lineage and has never featured in the rotational succession arrangement for the stool.”

He added that the three other ruling houses could attest to the fact that “Sugbada” has no place in the town’s chieftaincy structure.

The lawyer noted that leaving the alleged error uncorrected could distort historical records, undermine the integrity of the chieftaincy system and create avoidable disputes in the future.

“Despite repeated representations to the relevant authorities over the years, no formal amendment has been made to address the discrepancy in the 1959 declaration,” he said.

Describing the continued reference to “Sugbada” as a misnomer capable of causing confusion in the nomination and selection of future occupants of the stool, he urged the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take immediate steps to amend the declaration in line with historical facts and native law and custom.

He emphasised that correcting the name to “Sugbodo” is crucial to maintaining unity and stability in Iraye, noting that unresolved ambiguities in chieftaincy declarations often serve as the root of prolonged communal crises.

“Clarifying the authentic ruling houses will preserve the sanctity of the stool and provide clear guidance for future generations,” he stated.