No fewer than 31 prominent traditional rulers from Yagba district in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State have condemned Dino Melaye over his disparaging comments made against the House of Representatives member representing Yagba federal constituency, Leke Abejide.
The monarchs, in an open letter made available to newsmen Friday, described Melaye’s recent video attacking Abejide as “insulting, baseless, and unbecoming of a Yoruba descendant who should embody the Omoluabi ethos.”
According to the statement, the rulers said they were “shocked and dissappointed” by the former lawmaker’s remarks, insisting that Leke Abejide remains a respected son of the land whose contributions to the constituency deserve commendation, not ridicule.
Invoking what they called “the wisdom of our ancestors and the blessings of God,” the traditional rulers asked Melaye to desist from what they termed “politics of rancour and divisive rhetoric,” warning that such conduct could attract the displeasure of both the people and their forebears.
They also advised the former senator to embrace constructive engagement and decorum in public discourse, saying this was necessary for peace and progress among the Okun people.
The monarchs, however, reaffirmed their full support for Abejide, stressing that they “will not tolerate any further attacks on his person or reputation.”
They also prayed for continued divine and ancestral guidance for the lawmaker in the discharge of his duties.
The statement was jointly signed by 31 traditional rulers from various communities across the South East Yagba District.
They include: HRM Oba Alhaji S.A. Mohammed, Olukotun of Ife-Olukotun (Chairman), HRM Oba Lamidi Folorunsho Ayeni, Elejuku of Ejuku (Vice Chairman), HRM Oba (Engr.) Olusegun Noah Alaiyemola, Oba of Ponyan, HRM Oba Oladele Togun, Alalu of Alu-Land (Secretary), HRH Oba Alhaji Aliu Olusegun, Oba Oranre (PRO), HRH Oba Joseph Aderibigbe Osasona, Owa of Jege, HRH Oba M.B. Babatola, Onitakete of Takete, HRH Oba Shola Adebola Samuel JP, Olugbagun of Igbagun, HRH Oba Samuel Olubumi Ojua, Ologbom of Ogbom, HRH Oba Alhaji Abdul Molomo Aminu, Olohun of Ohun, HRH Oba Adeniyi John Ayeni, Onimela of Imela and HRH Oba Gabriel Olorunleke, Onisao of Isao.
Others are HRH Oba C.K. Alimi, Alaginmi of Aginmi, HRH Oba Alhaji M.O. Aliyu, Obaro Oke-Ife, HRH Oba Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola Akogun (Shaba), Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba Alhaji Akibu Mode Saliu, Obaro Ero, HRH Oba Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, Alaira of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba (Engr.) Isiaka Haruna, Elero of Ero, HRH Oba Raimi Sule, Agbana-Nla of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba (Engr.) Sheidu Kunle Saliu, Obaro Oke-Aga, HRH Oba Lawrence O. Adeyemi, Obaliha of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba Abdulrazaq Akinola Abdulraheem, Obajemu of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba David O. Obabiolorunkosi, Elesho of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba Ajisafe Moses, Okohi of Ohio, HRH Oba Shuaib Yusuf, Elepo of Ife-Olukotun, HRH Oba J.O. Olukotun, Oba of Anku, Ejuku, HRH Oba S.G. Ikuseru, Olotun of Otun Ejuku, HRH Oba H.I. Mohammed, Olotun II of Otun Ejuku, HRH Oba K.J. Gabson, Oba Ojo-Oro Anku, Ejuku, HRH Oba S.F. Olukotun and Oba Otun I Otun Ejuku, HRH Oba Aaron Idowu Mohammed, Oba Otun I Otun Ejuku.
