Olowo-in-Council bans suspended council boss from Owo town

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The traditional rulers of Owo Kingdom, under the Olowo-in-Council, have declared the suspended Chairman of Owo Local Government, Hon. Tope Omolayo, unwelcome in the town following his recent outburst against the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.

WESTERN POST reports that Omolayo, who was earlier suspended by the Owo Legislative Council over alleged misconduct, had been at the centre of controversy after a phone conversation in which he reportedly made derogatory remarks about the monarch went viral.

Although he later apologised publicly in Akure, the Olowo-in-Council, after a meeting held at the palace on Friday, insisted that his actions were unacceptable and an affront to the dignity of the throne.

Reading a communiqué on behalf of the Council, the Ogwadogbon of Owo, High Chief (Dr) Ademola Obanonyen, described Omolayo’s conduct as “sacrilegious and deeply disrespectful” to the institution of the Olowo.

According to him, the Council resolved that the embattled chairman should be regarded as persona non grata in Owo Kingdom, saying his “continued presence as council chairman is no longer acceptable to the people and traditional authorities.”

The Council also said all local council development areas (LCDAs) within Owo had distanced themselves from Omolayo’s actions, which they described as “regrettable and unbecoming of a public officer”.

While calling on the Ondo State Government to take appropriate steps to maintain peace and order, the Olowo-in-Council reminded politicians and office holders of the need to respect traditional institutions, noting that “an insult to the Olowo is an insult to the entire Yoruba heritage.”