By S.O.K Shillings
There is an ongoing feud between the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adesina and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu over the appointment of Iya Oloja. This should be of interest to the indigenes of Ikorodu and I hereby offer my one penny intervention.
In a Press Statement recently released by the LG Chairman, he espoused the duties of the local government as stated in the constitution as “establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences”. Reading in simple English, it does not include the appointment or the ‘supervision of the appointment’ of Iya Oloja(General).
It is just as the constitutional role does not include the appointment or supervision of the appointment of officers of the National Union of Road Transport Workers or RTEAN or Alapata-General of slaughter slabs.
They are not officials of Local Government who are paid for their services. In the maintenance of the parks, the LG is at liberty to appoint Park Administrators which the Lagos State Government did last year without complaints from the local governments. Same way, they could appointment market administrators. The market wo(men) are stakeholders who are entitled to their own association under Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing the right of association.
The case of the Oba is even worse. There is no constitutional or statutory role in that regard if at all. The traditional rulers are struggling for a definition of their roles and I attest to this struggle as I listened to their presentation at the ill-fated, cosmetic Constitutional Amendment parley of 2022.
In the absence of constitutional or statutory roles, tradition preserves some roles. The duty of choosing head of family is the exclusive preserve of the families. But some important families still subject their choices to the approval and sometimes, the intervention of the Oba who even caps the head as a Chief hence you see family head with the title of ‘Chief’ only for being head of his/her family.
The marketers are important part of the traditional community as evinced in their role and position in Ikorodu Oga Development Association. They are not just an association. They have strong relation with the traditional institution from time immemorial. Iyaloja -General Folashade Ojo is a Chief.
The manner of choosing Iya Oloja/Baba Oloja rests squarely with the marketers. It must be agreed that since they have their own structure, the leadership should emerge through that structure and any traditional or statutory channels that they permit.
By a publication in Ikorodu News, there were aspirants to the exalted office and the monarch intervened by constituting a Committee of eminent personalities who conducted screening pruning the number to 3 before eventually picking one of their number which was then announced. It is perfectly in order. Those who are aggrieved should not cause chaos.
It is noteworthy that the issue of leadership of NURTW was recently resolved by the Obas in Lagos State whence Tafa Segoe emerged succeeding MC Oluomo when it became impossible to have a seamless transition. Government then took over.
The roles of the traditional institutions and government in the leadership of association is a grey area which both parties must treat with caution. It could backfire against both parties because either could be termed as usurper anytime if they become overbearing. One therefore need not vilify the other.
In the instant case, while it is not the official duty of either institution, it is right for the Oba to take charge especially when the marketers themselves submitted to jurisdiction. Further, in the final analysis, the Local Government is not prevented from its constitutional role of maintaining the markets and the chosen Iya Oloja will ultimately relate to the Chairman.
The imbroglio, in my candid opinion, is unnecessary and just a storm in a teacup. I urge the Chairman to exercise restraints. Besides, assuming without conceding that kabiyesi was wrong, ‘b’éégún bá shubi tó shupa, aa fi ìgbàlè jìí’
S. O. K. Shillings Esq, former NBA Chairman writes from Ikorodu.
