Ogun State House of Assembly has met with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state, as part of moves to review the State Chieftaincy law and ensure a more comprehensive law that would help reform the traditional institution in the State.
The house worried over the incessant litigation arising from chieftaincy matters, is proposing the review of the existing Chieftancy Law to set up a Chieftancy Tribunal to handle cases
The review according to the lawmakers, will ensure adherence to due process in the installation, promotion, burial rites, composition and the activities of kingmakers .
Speaker of the house, Right Honourable Olakunle Oluomo on Wednesday, presided over the interactive session which included the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as Paramount Rulers and the State Council of Baales on the proposed Chieftaincy Law.
Oluomo accompanied by other Lawmakers during the session held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, explained that the parley with the monarchs was aimed at putting in place an all- encompassing legislation towards resolving issues creating avoidable legal tussle in the institution, which usually caused unnecessary distractions and expenses for government.
The Speaker while decrying the numerous court cases relating to installation of monarchs and land related matters filed before the different courts, said that the traditional institution supposed to be exemplary and dignified, hence the need for the traditional rulers to be apolitical being the custodians of the rich culture and tradition of the people.
Oluomo expressed the readiness of the Ninth Legislature in the State to blaze the trail by setting the pace for improved standard to give a well defined role to traditional rulers especially on how to strenghten security in their respective domains, while putting in place measures towards maintaining hierarchy within the traditional system.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Afolabi Afuape described the proposed legislation as laudable and long overdue, saying it would put an end to the aged long disputes in the process of installation, elevation, ranking and area of prescribed authority for monarchs.
Also the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya who represented the Chairman of the State Traditional Council and the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikirulah Adetona, his Egbaland counterpart, represented by the Bantuu of Egbaland, Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland represented by the OlokeOdan of Oke-Odan, Oba( Dr) Oluwarotimi Fagbenro and the Representative of Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, who is also the Elepe of Epe Sagamu, Oba Osiberu Adewale, described the Assembly's move as a right step deserving commendation.
According to the top monarchs, the step will help address the shortcomings being experienced in the existing law, which they described as "being too cumbersome".
They attributed causes of litigations, petitions and disputes to undue interference in the process of filling vacant stools.
The traditional rulers recommended the review of the approval of regency council and that of the roles of warrant chiefs; canvassing that the supervisory and moderating role be reserved for the traditional council.
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