The Aseyin of Iseyinland and Chairman of Obas and Chiefs in Oke-Ogun, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, has dismissed an alleged vote of no confidence reportedly passed on him by some traditional rulers in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, describing the action as politically driven and lacking legitimacy.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, the monarch faulted a communiqué said to have emerged from a meeting held in Okeho, headquarters of Kajola Local Government Area, which purportedly questioned his leadership of the traditional institution in the region.
Oyebola maintained that the monarchs involved in the meeting lacked the constitutional authority to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the council, insisting that the move was motivated by political interests.
According to him, the allegations of maladministration, misconduct and unilateral actions levelled against him would not go unchallenged, adding that the monarchs behind the communiqué should be prepared to defend their claims in line with the regulations guiding the council.
“The identified monarchs at the meeting do not have the authority to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the traditional institution in Oke-Ogun, especially when their mission is glaringly politically motivated,” he said.
The royal father further described the allegations as an attempt to blackmail his office, stressing that he had remained committed to promoting development and economic growth in Iseyinland and across the Oke-Ogun axis.
He stated that his engagements with influential personalities within and outside the state were aimed at attracting developmental projects and improving the welfare of the people in the region.
Oyebola also cautioned traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun against actions and comments capable of disrupting the peace and unity of the area, particularly the use of social media to escalate disagreements within the traditional institution.
He urged the concerned monarchs to avoid pursuing what he termed selfish interests, noting that traditional rulers often travelled independently for matters relating to the development of their respective communities.
The monarch also denied claims that he single-handedly postponed a scheduled council meeting.
He explained that the decision was jointly taken by executive members of the council to allow participation in an empowerment programme organised in Ogbomoso by Senator Fatai Buhari, an All Progressives (APC) lawmaker representing the Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
