LAUTECH crisis: Osun, Oyo Obas meet

Traditional rulers in Osun State would soon hold a crucial meeting with their counterparts in Oyo State to sway Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala from illegally appropriating Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

The Olufon of Ifon Orolu Kingdom, Oba Almaroof Adekunle Magbagbeola, made the disclosure when the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, paid a courtesy visit to him in his palace before leading a political rally of his party, Action Congress of Nigeria, in the town.

It would be recalled that crisis over the LAUTECH began when Governor Akala, last year, announced and took steps to fully take over the institution jointly owned with Osun State since it was established in 1990.

Oba Magbagbeola lauded the courageous stance adopted by Governor Aregbesola on the issue and promised that traditional rulers in Osun State appreciate and fully support his position on LAUTECH.

He hinted that monarchs in Osun State would, next week, hold consultative meetings with their counterparts in Oyo State with a view to prevail on Governor Akala to back down on his illegal take-over bid of LAUTECH.

Olufon

expressed disgust at the effrontery of the Oyo State governor to appropriate the university that is jointly owned by the two states.

“Aregbesola has spoken like a prince. He has maintained a bold and courageous stand over LAUTECH. Next week, other Obas and I shall be holding a meeting with prominent royal fathers in Oyo State on the issue of LAUTECH. We shall tell them to prevail on Akala to stop his illegal take-over bid”, the Olufon disclosed further.

The Olufon also hinted that among the monarchs expected to play host to them are the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade among others to report Governor Akala’s behaviour to them formally.

He recalled that LAUTECH is a heritage of the people of Oyo and Osun states and queried: “How can a man of no pedigree suddenly reverse it?”

The Olufon also reinforced the position of Governor Aregbesola by explaining that there was a law which established the institution, just as he vowed that traditional rulers would not allow anybody to destroy the ageless historical ties between the people of the two states over the LAUTECH matter.

He then sought adequate recognition in the consummation of Aregbesola’s administration, saying: “Mr. Governor, Ifon-Orolu kingdom must have a representative in your cabinet. My people voted for your programmes. All candidates of your party, ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria), will have our votes”.