The Oyo State Government has suspended Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola (Gbadewolu I) as the Onido of Ido in Ido Local Council of the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde approved the suspension on February 1, 2024. In a letter seen by News Central, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, which read in part:
“I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by virtue of all other enabling powers in that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.”
In response to the suspension of the Onido of Ido land, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade said that the State Government come hard at anyone who contravenes the law, no matter how highly placed.
Prince Oyelade said the government took the tough measure to send signals to those aiding and abetting criminals within the state’s territory, adding that “they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The commissioner revealed that the Onido was suspended because an intelligence report linked him to illegal mining in the Ido Local Government Area of the state.
“In the light of our recent experience and the government’s daily efforts to rid our land of criminals, we are sending the signal to all like-minded elements to vacate our zone or be caught and brought to justice,” the Commissioner said.
On the possibility of Onido being dethroned when the probe was concluded, Oyelade said, “All options are on the table.”
The Oyo State government has since directed Oba Babalola to hand over all government properties in his possession to the chairman of Ido local council.