I'm Not Qualified to Be Olowu - Obasanjo
From Toba Suleiman in Abeokuta
President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend denied speculations that his role in the succession crisis in his ancestral home, Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State was part of a plot to ascend the traditional throne after the expiration of his tenure in 2007.
Obasanjo at a peace meeting at the President's village in Ibogun Ola-Ogun said he is not qualified for the throne, since he is not from one of the royal lineages.
"I am from Sotomi compound. We cannot be king. I was even begged to become Balogun of Owu," he told the gathering consisting of the groups supporting his position on the Olowu succession crisis and those kingmakers opposed to him.
Obasanjo restated his earlier position that he bore no grudge against anybody over the Owu Obaship crisis.
He said he cannot be preaching openness and accountability and be doing something contrary.
According to him, on the Owu issue, "I have been trying." He added that there are three attributes which the next Olowu must possess. They are education, tradition and character.
He maintained that it is not in his life that an Owu Oba would be charged with any criminal offence.
Obasanjo said the crisis over the Olowu succession is not as serious as it has been presented.
Obasanjo who cheerfully cracked some jokes and shared pleasantries with journalists commended Governor Gbenga Daniel for his matured roles since the crisis broke out in the community.
As part of the resolution of the peace meeting, an eight-man committee was set up to reconcile the feuding parties.
All the groups involved in the crisis over the selection of the new Olowu of Owu were present and contributed to deliberations during the meeting.
Obasanjo has been a central figure in the crisis as a group of kingmakers had accused him of stalling the appointment process because the majority of the selection committee did not favour his prefered candidate.
At the peace meeting however, the group loyal to Obasanjo was represented by the President himself, the Otun of Owu, Alhaji M. Ola Yusuf, Ogo-Oluwa Bankole, Chief Doja Adewolu, Dr. Onalapo Soleye and several other people.
The opposing group consisting of kingmakers was represented by Chief Rufus Onifade (Akogun), Chief Ramon Ogunbiyi (Oyega), Sufianu Olaifa (Olosi), Chief Oladunjoye Oshungboye (Obamaja) and Chief Sunday Oguntolu (Omolasin).
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, a member of the committee and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye said the peace and reconciliation committee is to be headed by Primate Omolaja Olorunniwo.
Other members to serve on the committee which has three months to complete its assignment, include the Otun of Owu, Alhaji M. Ola Yusuf, Alhaji Akinmade Yusuf, Soleye and Alhaji Shehu Oladunjoye.
Others are Chief Tunji Adepo, Chief Oladunjoye Oshungboye (Obamaja) of Owu, and Chief (Mrs) Funmilayo Gbogboade, the only female on the committee.
Soleye who refused to entertain questions from newsmen on the details of the meeting said he was not mandated to speak on any details other than that of the setting up of the committee to facilitate permanent peace in Owu kingdom.
He added that there was no need for him to go into the details of the crisis which has since engulfed the kingdom. He however described the meeting as a follow up to the previous one over the selection of the new Olowu of Owu.
However, he admitted that the people of the community have been polarised into two factions following the August 9 incident where Obasanjo was alleged to have torn election result when it did not favour his chosen candidate for the Olowu stool.
"Sincee that time, there are two factions with one led by the Akogun of Owu and another one by Alhaji M. Ola Yusuf, the Otun of Owu," he said.
Soleye, who was supported on the high table by the leader of group of five kingmakers in opposition to Obasanjo, Onifade, described the meeting as peaceful and successful.
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