Akarigbo slams misleading, doctored publication on London trip

The Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu, Ogun State, has reacted to a publication making the rounds that the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo-land, Oba (Dr) Adewale Babatunde Ajayi travelled to London to plead with Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu on behalf Governor Dapo Abiodun over the March 18 governorship election in the state.

ValidViewNetwork sequel to a letter in circulation had earlier reported that the monarch alongside some prominent traditional rulers and eminent personalities in the state, traveled to London to meet Sir Kensington Adebutu over the outcome of the March 18 governorship election which has polarized the people of Remoland along the two major contenders – Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ladi Adebutu both of whom are from the area.

Reacting to a publication making the rounds, the Palace described the said publication as not only misleading but an attempt by the author to misrepresent the fact by deliberately doctoring the Monarch’s prepared speech during the London visit.

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According to a statement by the Bamofin of Remo-land, Barr. Adebayo Onafuwa on behalf of the Akarigbo Palace, the publication being circulated against the monarch was doctored by the author to suit his/her political intentions and deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

The statement noted that the insinuation that a recent trip undertaken by the revered Oba was sponsored by the Governor was not only misleading but also an insult to the Akarigbo in particular and the Remo Traditional Council in general.

It further noted that: “While the Akarigbo Palace is not out to throw itself into the fray of partisan politics, we believe we owe our Indigenes and all well-meaning people a duty to set the records straight because a lie that is told unchallenged has the tendency of being mistaken as the truth.

“As the custodian of the customs, tradition, culture and norms of Remo people, we felt, and still feel, concerned about the fallouts of the recent elections in Ogun State in which two of our sons from the same town (Iperu) vied for the Governorship position. This aftermath of the said elections has been a source of concern to well-meaning people of the State in general and Remo-land in particular, leading the Alayeluwa Akarigbo and his entourage to make a reconciliation visit to London.

“If others outside our Remo Division of Ogun State could deem reconciling our subjects, then, it behooves on us to up what we have been doing internally, to stem the no- love-lost.

“The individual sponsorship by members of the entourage was made unambiguous in the address delivered in London and for anyone to try to smear the image of the top-notch personalities that made the trip on their own accord is most uncharitable.

“The Akarigbo has done what is naturally expected of any occupant of the stool and Kabiyesi Alayeluwa will continue to work for peace and tranquility not only in Remo-land but also in all parts of Ogun State in his capacity as Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo and also the current Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas.

“We will therefore not be drawn into partisan politics or be deterred by antics of politicians.”