Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called on the Luwoye Ruling House of Erekiti Community to provide evidence supporting their allegations that his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, demanded bribes to install a king in the community.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who threatened legal action against the ruling house, also demanded a formal apology from them.
The Governor emphasised that his administration has consistently maintained a policy of non-interference in the appointment of kings across communities and would not impose anyone on the vacant stool of Erekiti.
He added that his administration would not bow to any form of blackmail or attempts to tarnish the reputation of his Deputy.
In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abooluwa Famakinwa, Aiyedatiwa described the allegations as a misuse of the government’s goodwill and political will to support communities in filling vacant stools.
The Governor defended his Deputy and the Commissioner, describing them as men of integrity with unblemished records, whose reputations are widely respected by traditional authorities across the state.
The statement reads in part: “It is on record that neither of them has ever accepted gifts or been involved in any bribery allegations.”
“We would also like to clarify that the reappointment of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, was due to the confidence Governor Aiyedatiwa and the traditional rulers in the state have in him.”
“We therefore give the publisher of the malicious story seven days to either present concrete evidence or retract the story and issue a public apology in at least two national newspapers, or face legal consequences.”
“The other two ruling houses involved in the claim for the stool have presented documents to support their case. However, instead of providing documents to back their claim, the Luwoye Ruling House has resorted to cheap blackmail and defamation of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Dr Olajide Owolabi Adelami, mni, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro.”
“The government takes strong exception to this reckless behaviour by the Luwoye Ruling House and demands that they correct the damage done by this publication.”
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