Oyo Gov’t Lifts Suspension On Monarch Accused Of Links To Illegal Miners

The Oyo State Government has lifted the suspension placed on the Onido of Ido, Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola, six months after the directive to step back from the throne.

Chairman, Ido local government area, Hon. Sheriff Adeojo announced this on Tuesday while presenting the reinstatement letter to the monarch.

The state government had suspended Oba Babalola through a letter dated 2nd of February, 2024 and signed by the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola.

Olayiwola said, “I wish to inform you that the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-sections 1 and 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, have approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of the state.”

He, therefore, directed the monarch to hand over all government property in his possession to the chairman of the local government.

The state governor however restored the suspended monarch on Tuesday to the throne; although LEADERSHIP cannot immediately ascertain the outcomes of the investigations surrounding the allegation that led to his suspension.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade while announcing Onido’s suspension in February, disclosed that the monarch was suspended over his alleged link with illegal miners.

Oyelade said in the statement that the government took the tough measure of suspending the monarch to send signals to those aiding and abetting criminals within their territory that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Commissioner added that Onido was suspended because of an intelligence report linking him to illegal miners in the local government area days after the explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

While congratulating the monarch for his reinstatement, the Ido LG chairman assured that the Governor Makinde-led government would continue to work with the traditional institution as a stabilising force in communities and in the state.

Adeojo also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his support and belief in the traditional institution as the backbone of any government considering their closeness to the people at the grassroots.

He added that the government at all levels could not afford to jeopardize the roles of traditional rulers for good governance and security of communities within their domains.

He, thereafter, urged Oba Babalola to continue to use his position to promote peace in the local government.