I am still Onpetu/Oluoje of Gbongan, my suspension cannot stand – Chief Adekunle
By Richard Akintade. Osogbo
A prominent traditional Chief in Gbongan town, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, Chief Afolabi Kazeem Adekunle has declared that, he remains the Onpetu/Oluoje of the ancient community, despite his reported suspension by the traditional ruler of the town, the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, Odugbemi 1.
Chief Adekunle while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference organized where he debunked the allegations leveled against him and others by the Olufi of Gbongan made this declaration and insisted that his purported suspension by the Olufi will not stand, saying Onpetu/Oluoje is an indigenous traditional Chief, not an honorary title.
It was reported that Adekunle alongside two other heads of villages (Baales) namely; Baale Rufai Lawal of Olubula Community and Baale Samson Oyegunle Odekunmi of Sewe Community in Gbongan town, were suspended by the Olufi on allegations of brazen insubordination, utter disregard and disdain to the office of the Olufi.
They were also accused of making divisive moves to dismember and balkanize the ancient town of Gbongan land and surreptitious moves to assuming a part-two status.
The Onpetu/Oluoje, the Baales and representatives from each of the 11 houses of ‘Oluoje Descendants’ in Gbongan debunked the allegations just as they described their purported suspension as baseless, null and void.
Adekunle said his suspension, alongside the two other Baales, was as a result of a letter which was written by Oluoje Descendants and addressed to the monarch through Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council, seeking the elevation of the Onpetu Oluoje as a part-two status.
Chief Adekunle flanked by the two other suspended Baales, said they did not commit any offense that could have warranted their suspension by the Olufi of Gbongan.
He expressed concern over the action of the monarch, saying that the grounds Oba Oyeniyi made against him showed that the Olufi nurtured personal grudges against him.
“The accusations are no grounds at all for our suspension, it is just that the ambition of Oluoje/Onpetu descendants does not go down well with Kabiesi of Gbongan land.
“The fact remains that all the monarchs that constituted the members of traditional council today had once been a minor Chief/Oba, so what is bad in the Oluoje/Onpetu descendants requesting for an elevation for Onpetu stool and pursuing progress?.”
He wondered why the message of his purported suspension was conveyed through the letter head of the Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council, what could have led to that? He asked.
The traditional Chief who was not moved by the development, said the traditional council have not deemed it necessary to hear his own side of the matter before serving him a letter of suspension saying he gives thanks to God that he was not accused of committing any criminal offense.
“The indefinite suspension is highly unwarranted in that : we were not prior serve with any query to the effect of any wrongs/grounds that may eventually led to the conclusion the traditional council hastily made.
“When someone is served with the query, he must be given the opportunity of answering the said query.
“He must be officially and personally invited to the interactive forum to meet the fair hearing standard and he must be openly and officially confronted with the wrong/civil crimes he is alleged to have committed.
“Kabiesi alleged me of being the one pushing for the elevation of Onpetu Oluoje stool to part-two status. I am saying emphatically that it is the sons and daughters of Onpetu descendants that are pushing for the elevation of Oluoje Onpetu not me as an individual.
“I became the Onpetu/Oluoje of Gbongan due to their unanimous decision which led to my installation as the Onpetu in 2019. As a result of this, I remain the Onpetu of Gbongan expect Oluoje Descendants pronounce that I am no more their Chief.
“I am a complete gentle man, a law abiding citizen, I love peace and I don’t foment trouble. So, I am not in anyway disturbed with the purported suspension. I have not done anything wrong or against the law of the land that warrant it.
“I always accord due respect and honour to our father, the Olufi of Gbongan but I am surprised with the development as I am not in anyway having any grudge with our Kabiesi, Baba is my father “. he said.
I am still Onpetu/Oluoje of Gbongan, my suspension cannot stand – Chief Adekunle