Akala: Alaafin is an aggrieved politician without party

OUT-GOING Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State has described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, as an aggrieved man.

Besides, Alao-Akala described the relationship between him and the monarch as that between two politicians, adding, however, that nobody knows the party the Oba belongs to.

The governor spoke yesterday, while answering reporters’ questions at the Presidential Lounge of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, where he and other dignitaries welcomed President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos.

Alao-Akala’s reaction may not be unconnected with a case of contempt filed against him by the Alaafin.

While reacting to the monarch’s statement that he and the state attorney-general should be committed to prison, the governor said: “He (Oba Adeyemi) is aggrieved. His position is permanent and mine is temporal”.

Alaafin wanted the two jailed for allegedly installing and giving recognition to one Ganiyu Ajiboye as the Alago Oja of Ago Oja in Oyo town, contrary to the orders of two different courts of the state.

The monarch, through his counsel, Mr. Adeola Omotunde, had taken the latest step following the refusal of the defendants to comply with the rulings of the court on the subject-matter.

He also sought the order, when it became clear that the defendants were not making themselves available to receive the court notice.

Alao-Akala, who wore a sky blue Guinea brocade agbada, had arrived the airport as early as 12.30 p.m., about three hours before the President arrived at 3.35p.m.

Besides, he assured the state workers that they would be paid the new minimum wage before he leaves office on Sunday.

“I have fufilled all the electoral promises I made with the people of Oyo State in 2007. I want to be remembered as the governor of Oyo State who was consistent in everything I did. I promised the people of Oyo State that the workers in the service of the state government would be paid their salaries on the new structure before I leave office,” he said.

But, reminded that he has less than a week to spend in office, he replied: “I still have at least four days more to spend in office.”

By Biodun Akomolafe              Courtesy Of: Nigerian Compass