The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, yesterday disowned the Traditional Council of Nigeria (TCN), which allegedly benefited in the $2.1billion arms cash disbursed by a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki.
The Contracts Verification Committee set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser listed TCN as one of the beneficiaries of the slush fund.
The monarch spoke at a special media parley to commemorate his 45th coronation anniversary.
It was organised by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Adeyemi said he opposed the setting up of the council, when it was mooted few years ago, because of the illegality of such organisation and the potential acrimony it could breed among traditional rulers.
The monarch said there can be no centralised traditional council because it violates the provision of the Constitution.
“When you talk of the arms deal, to the best of my knowledge, no traditional ruler in the state’s 33 local governments collected any money. We are not part of it.”
He praised the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its war against corruption, adding that the revelations are damning.
Alaafin, nevertheless, cautioned Buhari and anti-graft agencies on the modus operandi being employed in the fight against corruption.
“People in authority should know their limitations too and do everything in accordance with the dictates of the constitution in order not to be seen as vindictive.”
On his experience in the last 45 years, Adeyemi said he has been able to attract developmental projects to the Southwest and the country at large.
He said he remains the bridge builder among the nation’s traditional institutions with ‘’unmatched historical facts on Yoruba’s traditional rulers and ascension to the thrones”.
