Kemta Traditional Council Reaffirms Chief Abayomi Rotimi As Oluwo, Denies Suspension
ABEOKUTA — The Kemta Traditional Council of Chiefs has dismissed reports alleging the suspension of the Oluwo of Kemta, Chief Abayomi Rotimi, describing the purported suspension notice as false, misleading and without foundation.
In a statement issued by the Aare-Ago Kemta and Secretary of the council, Chief Samuel Sojobi, the traditional body said Chief Rotimi remains the duly recognised and serving Oluwo of Kemta and continues to discharge his traditional responsibilities and authority.
The clarification followed the circulation of a purported letter alleging that the traditional ruler had been suspended over unspecified allegations.
The council faulted the claim, insisting that due process was not followed, as the Oluwo was neither invited before any constituted panel or traditional authority to respond to the allegations nor served with any letter of suspension.
It therefore, urged members of the public and traditional stakeholders to disregard the purported suspension notice and continue to recognise Chief Rotimi as the serving Oluwo of Kemta.
The council also rejected reports that the Kemta Ogboni House had been locked following the alleged suspension.
According to the statement, the Ogboni House was opened for official duties on Saturday, August 15, where the Oluwo presided over the installation of two new traditional title holders.
Chief Meshioye and his wife, Chief Mrs Meshioye, were respectively installed as Akinmeto and Erelu Akinmeto of Kemta at a ceremony which the council said was conducted peacefully and without any disruption.
The council cautioned against dragging the Kemta Traditional Council and the Ogboni House into partisan political disputes.
The council alleged that preliminary information indicated that the suspension narrative might have been politically motivated and linked to the interests of individuals sympathetic to a particular gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State.
It, however, urged all chiefs and stakeholders to place the dignity, unity and sanctity of the traditional institution above personal or political interests.
The Kemta Traditional Council further dissociated itself from the purported suspension notice, its circulation and any individual or group allegedly responsible for it.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, truth, due process and stability within the traditional institution, the council called on members of the public to disregard both the suspension and closure claims.
It maintained that Chief Abayomi Rotimi remains in office as Oluwo of Kemta and continues to discharge his traditional duties.
