By Our Reporter
The Ilajo Royal family in Kabba, Kogi State has called queried the claim by Oba Solomon Owoniyi that the Community does not have a Palace.
The Royal Family also called on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to allow the full determination of the obaro chieftancy suit pending in the law court before proceeding to build another palace in the town
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The ilajo Royal family during a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Aoffin palace Kabba said the palace has been existing since over 200 years ago and has housed more than 15 different Obaros and wondered why a new palace will be built at this point in time when litigation over the Obaro tussle is still pending in court
Spokesman of the family and Secretary Ilajo Planning Committee, High Chief Peter Oloba said the family was surprised when Oba Owoniyi on the occasion of Kabba cultural day celebration said there is no existing palace in the town, saying it was a calculated attempt to distort the historical facts of the ancient town.
The family while conducting newsmen round the tombs of over 15 Obaros who reigned, died and buried within the palace and showing their paraphernalia of office said it was an abberation to say kabba has no palace even when the first Governor- general of Nigeria, Lord Fredrick Lugard and some past Nigerian leaders like General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and vice president Yemi Osibanjob had visited the palace at different times.
According to the Spokesman of the family,”We see this distortion as a deliberate act of causing confusion and as usual, a way of distorting the historical facts and age long tradition and culture of Oweland by insinuating that there is no palace in Kabba.
“We hereby set the records straight, and wish to state categorically without equivocation, that Kabba Town has always had a Palace, a significant paraphernalia of Royalty and the centre point of Owe culture and tradition. And this is the palace of Obaros of kabba” he added
While stating the names and dates of some of the Obaros that reigned, died and were buried in and around the Palace , he mentioned Obaro Baba Mokelu, 1870, Obaro Baba Ajinuhi, 1870, Obaro Baba Gbayero Ajibohokun, 1923, Obaro Atikekerejolu Oluyori, 1928 and Obaro Obamudi Olu Owe Arokoyo, 1932.
Others he said are, Obaro Obafakun Olobayo Ero1, 1936, Obaro Olle Akikan Ajibohokun, 1942, Obaro Ologbonyo Arokoyo, 1957 and Obaro Michael F.S. Olobayo, Ero2, 2016
He further said “We therefore believe that the Kogi State Government should not get involved in an issue that is not unconnected with the matter in Courts of the land and as such stay action on anything that concerns this sensitive matter.
“Finally, we of Ilajo the Royal Family of Kabba, Oweland are praying the Kogi State Government to allow for the full determination of the subsisting court case before decision regarding Palace is made.
“This plan, if implemented now, is capable of generating avoidable tension and can therefore put law and order into jeopardy. ” He added
When contacted, Oba Owoniyi said there is no cause for alarm.
