Monarchs in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State have strongly condemned the suspended council chairman, Hon. Tope Omolayo, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the state’s Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, and Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.
Omolayo had earlier tendered a public apology to the Olowo following the circulation of an audio recording in which he made offensive statements against the monarch after his suspension by the council’s councillors.
In a letter addressed to Oba Ogunoye, the embattled chairman wrote, “I take full responsibility for my words and acknowledge the grave disrespect they conveyed towards your highly revered stool and personality.
“I am profoundly sorry for any hurt, embarrassment, or disappointment my utterances may have caused you, our royal household, and the good people of Owo Kingdom.
“My actions in that moment were thoughtless, and do not reflect the values of our culture, the respect I hold for the traditional institution, nor the esteem with which I regard your person as the custodian of our cherished heritage.”
However, the monarchs, under the umbrella of the Owo Local Government Council of Obas, described Omolayo’s outburst as “unpleasant, inappropriate, and unbecoming of a person holding public office.”
In a statement signed by their Secretary, the Oloba of Uso, Oba Engr. Ademola Adebiyi Oyinbade, the traditional rulers said Omolayo’s comments were not only an affront to the Olowo but also an insult to the entire traditional institution in Owo land.
The statement, which was forwarded to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noted that the monarchs had initially chosen silence to allow peace to prevail and to give Omolayo an opportunity to show remorse.
According to Oba Oyinbade, their decision to remain quiet was to avoid being perceived as taking sides in local political issues and to allow the suspended chairman time to offer a genuine public apology.
He said, “We have maintained a studied silence on the issue of the voice message because of our position as Traditional rulers, who must not hastily respond to issues as sensitive as that but defend our traditional cultural institutions in order to promote peace and tranquillity.
“Also, not to be accused of getting involved or taking sides in the political happenings in Owo Local Government Area, and more importantly to give Mr. Tope Omolayo the benefit of showing genuine remorse and mobilising Owo religious, community and political elders and leaders to join him to tender an unreserved, heartfelt apology to His Imperial Majesty and all the Obas in the Local Government Area for his disgusting and loathsome behaviour unbecoming of a Chairman of a Local Government.
“Unfortunately, we have not seen him taking practical steps towards apologising to Kabiyesi Olowo and the Obas in the Local Government Area, because an attack on Kabiyesi Olowo is an attack on all the Obas.
“His press conference in Akure cannot suffice for a sincere apology to Kabiyesi Olowo, other Obas and the people of Owo considering his blasphemous conduct.”
The monarchs further called on political parties and leaders to ensure that only mature, disciplined, and experienced individuals are nominated for public office to avoid future embarrassment to traditional institutions.
They also warned politicians and public officeholders to show utmost respect in their dealings with royal fathers, noting that monarchs are custodians of culture, values, and community harmony.
“Consequently, we hereby state that we collectively denounce and reject the unfortunate voice message made by Mr. Tope Omolayo and take it as the outburst of an uncouth person who is not worthy of a public office, not even the least office.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we the Obas in Owo Local Government Area are resolutely behind Kabiyesi Olowo in this period of unreasonable and childish attack on His Imperial Majesty’s esteemed personality. This is one too many.”
The monarchs concluded by advising “political parties and their leaders to always ensure that mature, experienced and disciplined people are sponsored to public offices in order to forestall and prevent this kind of public embarrassment.”
