The Enugu State government on Wednesday disowned the claims by Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo that he was adopted as the Oba of Yoruba Community in Enugu State.
The disclaimer followed viral news reports that Yoruba community in Enugu State had unanimously selected Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo as its new traditional ruler.
Adebayo, who hails from Osun, had said he became the first ever Oba of the community since the history of Yorubas living in Enugu, adding that seven states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi and Kwara, made up the Yoruba community in Enugu.
But, in a disclaimer issued by the HOD Public Relations Unit, of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu, Ogbu Ifeoma, the state government explained that it only held a conflict resolution meeting with the stakeholders on the Obaship issue and no person was adopted during the meeting as Oba.
The statement read: “The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs of Enugu State wishes to issue a disclaimer about a viral news item and a purported interview granted by Mr. Abdulazeez Adebayo Olateju claiming that he was adopted as the Oba of Yoruba Community in Enugu State.
“The Ministry held a conflict resolution meeting with the Yoruba community stakeholders in Enugu State yesterday been 20th of August, 2024 on the Obaship issue and no person was adopted during the meeting but a peace building process was initiated by the Ministry.
“The Hon. Commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo who chaired the meeting stated that the resolution includes further consultations and meetings to ensure a peaceful resolution of their crisis”.
The statement added that the commissioner warned that anybody parading himself as the Oba of Yoruba Community in Enugu State should desist from doing so or face the wrath of the Law.
