By Dayo Johnson

IT is not an over statement to call it a subtle revolution.Some Obas other than those in the first class category are revolting against the 22 member Ondo state Council of Obas and by extension the state government over alleged maltreatment, marginalization and deprivation of their rights as the custodians of the tradition.

Mimiko & •Deji of Akure: Oba Aladetoyinbo

They lamented that many of them   attend government programmes using taxi cabs because they have been pauperised. “The sight of a traditional ruler hopping into a taxi cab or begging for a ride when invited for official duties in the state capital does no good to the image of the state. Selective provision of exotic official vehicles to some is not a good  thing at all,” they lamented.

The  crisis that is brewing among classes of traditional rulers in the state, if care is not taken may shake the state to its foundation. Over 100 traditional rulers that are not in the grade A or B  are poised for a war with the council of Obas and the state government also over alleged lopsidedness in the composition of the council and shabby treatment meted to them by the both parties. Infact, the Obas described the state Council of Obas as; ‘’an arm of the state government noting that their grievances have been pending for years.”

The aggrieved monarchs under the umbrella of DE 130 Krowns Club who are protesting alleged marginalization by the first class monarchs in their domains did not spare the state government for allegedly aiding the first class Obas to oppress them The royal rumble which came to the fore last week according to investigation by Vanguard had been on for years even before the present administration seven years ago.

However, the Obas last week took up the gauntlet and not minding whose ox is gored the Obas led by their Chairman, the Aladeokun of Idanre Oba Olusegun Akinbola and others including the Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Samuel Adegbite-Adedoyin and the Olupe of Ipe-Akoko, Oba Francis Apata, said they decided to cry out “when all attempts to meet with Governor Olusegun Mimiko to address their plight have been frustrated in the last few years of his administration.

Oba Adedoyin said their grievances would have been channeled through the State Council of Obas but for its composition which he declared lopsided and the lack readiness of the council to address the plight of members other than those in the first class. Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, Oba Akinbola described the composition of the present Council as not only lopsided but non representative noting that only 22 Obas are members of the Council out of over 150 Obas in the state.

The traditional ruler alleged that the state government is making some Obas more comfortable than others describing such action politically unwise. On remuneration, the  Obas, said; “The federal government wisely provided that five percent  of gross revenue allocated to each local government  be set aside  to sustain the needs of traditional rulers.

“The noble gesture was meant to lift the traditional rulers from the state from abject poverty  in which they were. However, in some local governments in the state,  it is ironic that in some cases the driver earns more than the Oba that they are employed to drive.” The Obas therefore recommended that the state government should ensure that the spirit of the letter authoring the  allocation be strictly followed .

According to him: ‘’the five percent should be as at first charge. “This is without prejudice to whatever allowance that could be due to such Oba . Ondo State Obas should be able to lift their heads high in the gathering of other traditional rulers in Nigeria.’’ They also asked the state government. To direct local governments to commence the construction/ renovation of official quarters (palaces) of Obas in their areas of jurisdiction. According to them; “this is in line with what obtains in other states of the Federation”.

Speaking on the  crisis over ranking in the Council, the Obas advised the  state government not to allow the desire of a group of few Obas plunge the state of over three million people into confusion. They submitted that no traditional ruler is superior to another outside his domain. Describing the contentious issue of ranking as slavery, the Obas said it has remained a contentious and inflammable issue that three past governments have steered clear of.

“It is not that they were not bold enough nor they do not possess the instruments to force their wishes on the state. “It is because they saw that it was not wise to tamper with the history of the people. “They were not willing to assist a few self seeking people to re-write the natural history of the people of Ondo State. “Since it is a subjective matter it should not be institutionalized through the force of law as is being canvassed by a few.

“The people know their history, the people know which community they were liberated from, the people know how they were liberated. And the people know who to give honour to. The Obas noted that “what needs to be done must be done but done in the interest of the greatest number of people.” A first-class Oba who spoke with Vanguard in confidence said that the aggrieved Obas are only seeking relevance.

He denied that  the council is an arm of government noting that they have on several occasions disagreed with the state government on some state matters. The traditional advised them to channel their grievances to the council who according to him would look into it and address it, if genuine. Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bamiduro Dada, could not be reached for comment while his mobile phone was switched off.