Prominent leaders of Pahayi Community area of Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised the alarm over “a fresh plot” to subvert the five-year-old recommendation of a committee led by High Chief Fadairo (SAN) on the choice of lineage to the new Baale of Pahayi.
The leaders, under the aegis of Pahayi Elders’ forum, in a statement, expressed concern that the recommendation of a committee constituted by the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle headed by the respected High Chief Fadairo (SAN), was about to be set aside for a new selection process.
Expressing the concern in a statement by its Head, Mr. Taiwo Afelogun, the association stated that the Paramount ruler constituted a committee about six years ago led by High Chief Fadairo (SAN) to look into the matter about the Baaleship tussle in Pahayi, where all the concerned families and bodies were called upon to give accounts, in which Kuudu family of Pahayi was unanimously confirmed as the family to produce the new Baale of Pahayi-Yewa.
“And all we are expecting now is the final approval from the Paramount ruler; only to get feelers that some contenders are now emerging afresh and are pulling political strings to achieve their aim,” the association complained.
Pahayi has been without a traditional ruler more than a decade after the last Baale of the town, late Osabiyi joined his ancestors. In most quarters, it is believed that it is the turn of Kuudu family to produce the next Baale of the primordial town.
While urging the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, and the Olu-in-Council to wade in and ensure that the right thing is done, the association described a new selection process as “unjust and disrespectful to the High Chief Fadairo (SAN) led Committee which has closed case on Baaleship process.
It, therefore, urged the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, and the Olu-in-Council, “not to allow schemers disrespect the authority of Olu-in-Council, as we know Our Kabiyesi to be an upright man, who is personally unhappy that Pahayi is yet to have a traditional ruler.
In Yewa-land, nobody dares the Oba. In fact, it’s belief, the Oba is next to God, his words are laws and any attempt to question his authority is termed a taboo. What is more, whoever is the guilty party does not go scot-free. But this custom is currently being questioning by some elements outside the town who are laying claim to what is not belong to them.
Oba Olugbenle according to Mr. Afelogun needed to stamp his authority to avoid being seen as a toothless bulldog who can only bark but can’t bite.
The Association have called on the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, and the Olu-in-Council to as a matter of public importance consider the implementation of the five-year-old recommendation of Fadairo-led report on Baaleship tussle in Pahayi without delay.
The non-implementation of the report submitted to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, by the Fadairo led Committee stalled the process of new Baale of the town and this has caused the community a lot of setback.
