Oyo LG election: Ajimobi, Alaafin hold talks

THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Tuesday, met with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state among which how to reach an out-of-court settlement with the traditional chiefs challenging the creation of 35 local council development areas in the state was discussed.

Oba Adeyemi who gave this hint while briefing journalists after meeting with Ajimobi, avowed confidence that the reason and understanding will prevail once the parties joined in the suit filed by the come to the negotiation table.

The monarch said settling the matter out of court was imperative to prevent the impact of the court order on the finances of the LGs and their dwellers.

“What I have come for this afternoon (Tuesday) is to try and trash out the issues as a way of finding amicable resolution. Whatever problems that arise before or even after a war, you come back to the negotiation table to settle it.

“So, instead of going to war that would be costly to both sides, that would be injurious to the populace and the people of the state, I have come to see the governor to find a way around it.

“My position on the issue is that as much as we must be careful not to undermine the legal restraint that is associated with discussing an issue that is before a law court, just take it from me, in my honest view and with all sincerity that this issue will be resolved very soon.”

“We are not going to coarse anybody, but I can assure you that reason and understanding will prevail. Don’t let me let the cat out of the bag now, but soon, peace will prevail.”

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, had ordered the Oyo State Independent Election Commission (OYSIEC) not to proceed with its plan to conduct local government election slated for February 11, following a motion ex-parte filed in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/11/2017 on behalf of 16 Baales from Oyo Federal Constituency by the lawyer, Ahmed Raji SAN, challenging the creation of 35 local council development authorities (LCDAs) in the state.

The traditional chiefs challenged the creation of the new LCDAs arguing that some communities under Oyo Federal Constituency got ceded to local government areas which fell within the boundary of Oyo North Senatorial district.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was joined as a defendant as well as Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the state House of Assembly, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, in the matter which was adjourned to February 7 for hearing of motion on notice filed by the plaintiffs, which include Chief Oladokun Abiola; Lasisi Jokaola; Tesleem Adekunle; Jimoh Oyeleye.