Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, has explained why replacements have not been announced for Aalafin of Oyo and Soun of Ogbomosoland, the two top traditional rulers who died in the State last year.
Gatekeepers News reports that Makinde on Tuesday, during the swearing-in of the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima in Ibadan, the state capital, said the delay in announcing replacements for the two traditional rulers was to ensure that all necessary due processes are followed in their appointment.
He also said the state government was to avoid a situation in which any replacement will be removed by the court after some years because of failure to follow due process.
Makinde, who spoke at the event held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan added that he had already communicated to the kingmakers in the two towns that institutional framework should be followed in the selection of new Aalafin and Soun.
According to him, once due process is followed, things generally will work out more efficiently.
“We have gone through a situation where a king was removed by the judiciary in the state after he has been on the throne for over 22 years.
“And I said to myself, not under my watch are we going to repeat the same mistake. I will rather delay and have due process followed.
“Then if anybody decides to go to court after the emergence of the new traditional rulers, such exercise might be a nullity.
“I believe this is what we need in Nigeria right now – strong institutions.
“But, we also need people to build them, people with experience, capacity and people with a strong conviction to do what is right.
“That is why the appointment of people like Justice Iyabo Yerima is important because she has experience in leadership,” Makinde said.
Swearing-in Yerima, as a substantive Chief Judge, he said that her appointment was in accordance with Section 271 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
He said that the swearing-in was done after her appointment was confirmed by the House of Assembly.
Makinde, while congratulating the new Chief Judge, promised to give her the necessary support to succeed.
He hinted that his administration had taken steps to ensure that the judiciary in the state worked effectively, assuring that his government would try its best to provide resources as they were available.
The governor said that if justice was to be dispensed efficiently, it should be carried out in a befitting environment.
In her remarks, Yerima pledged to take Judiciary in the state to a greater height.
She lauded Makinde for the cooperation which the judiciary in the state has been enjoying since the inception of his administration.
The Chief judge, however, pleaded for the renovation of all the courtrooms in the state.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that highlights of the event were the administering of the Administration Oath and Judicial Oath on the Chief Judge by the governor.
The Deputy Governor, Chief Adebayo Lawal; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubanwo Adeosun; High Court Judges and other top government functionaries were present at the event.
