The council, in a press release signed by its Secretary, Chief Sojobi and issued to newsmen on Sunday said Chief Rotimi remains the duly recognised and serving Oluwo of Kemta and continues to exercise his traditional responsibilities and authority.
The clarification followed the circulation of a purported letter alleging that the traditional ruler had been suspended over unspecified allegations. The council said the allegation lacked due process, stressing that the Oluwo was neither invited before any constituted panel or traditional authority to respond to the allegations nor served with any letter of suspension. It therefore urged members of the public and traditional stakeholders to disregard the purported notice and continue to recognise Chief Rotimi as the serving Oluwo of Kemta.
The council also rejected claims that the Kemta Ogboni House had been locked following the alleged suspension. According to the statement, the Ogboni House was opened for official duties on Saturday, August 15, where the Oluwo presided over the installation of two new traditional title holders. Chief Meshioye and his wife, Chief Mrs Meshioye, were respectively installed as Akinmeto and Erelu Akinmeto of Kemta at a ceremony the council said was conducted peacefully and without disruption.
While expressing concern over the circulation of what it described as unfounded claims, the council cautioned against dragging the Kemta Traditional Council and the Ogboni House into partisan political disputes. It alleged that preliminary information indicated that the suspension narrative might have been politically motivated and connected to the interests of individuals sympathetic to a particular gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State. The council, however, urged all chiefs and stakeholders to place the dignity, unity and sanctity of the traditional institution above personal or political interests.
The Kemta Traditional Council further dissociated itself from the purported suspension notice, its circulation and any individual or group allegedly responsible for it. Reaffirming its commitment to peace, truth, due process and stability within the traditional institution, the council called on the public to disregard both the suspension and closure claims. It maintained that Chief Abayomi Rotimi remains in office as Oluwo of Kemta and continues to discharge his traditional duties.
