The Oyo State government, on Thursday, suspended Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola (Gbadewolu I) as the Onido of Ido in Ido Local Government Area of the state.
The government, in a letter dated 2nd of February, 2024 and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, indicated that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde approved the suspension on 1 February, 2024.
The letter, as contained in a statement by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde did not state the reason(s) for the suspension of the traditional ruler.
However indications have emerged that the Onido was suspended for allegedly having a link with illegal miners operating in the local government area.
Governor Makinde simply stated in the four-paragraph statement that he suspended the Onido of Ido in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and other enabling powers in that regard.
“I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by virtue of all other enabling powers in that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State,” the letter read in part.
By the content of the letter, Oba Babalola was also directed to hand over all government properties in his possession to the chairman of Ido Local Government Area.
Giving an indication of what may have led to the suspension of the traditional ruler, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said Oba Babalola was suspended because of an intelligence report with allegedly linked him with illegal miners in Ido Local Goverment Area.
This was as he sounded a note of warning that the state government will not hesitate to hit hard at anyone, no matter how highly placed, who contravenes the law.
Prince Oyelade said the state government took the tough measure of suspending the Onido of Ido to send signals to those aiding and abetting criminals within the state that they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Specifically, the commissioner revealed that the Onido of Ido was suspended because of intelligence report linking him to illegal miners in the local government area.
“In the light of our recent experience and government daily efforts to rid our land of criminals, we are sending the signal to all like-minded elements to vacate our zone or be caught and brought to justice,” he was quoted to have said.
On the issue of the possibility of the Onido being dethroned when investigation is conclusive, the Commissioner said “all options are on the table.”
It would be recalled that the suspended Onido, Oba Babalola, came to the throne in 2018, following the deposition of his predecessor, Baale Tajudeen Agura by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Baale Agura was deposed during the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi and was replaced with Oba Babalola.
The then deposed Onido did not take his removal lightly as he described the lineage of Oba Babalola (now suspended Onido) as that of labourers in Ido.
The now suspended Onido however described the claim by the deposed Baale Agura as spurious, claiming that he had historical evidence backing his ascension to the throne of Onido.
