We have not installed a monarch, residents of Akiriboto-Oke community say

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

In order to avert communal crisis in Akiriboto-Oke in Ayedaade local government area of Osun State, the Council of Chiefs and representatives of all families in the community have informed the state government and security agencies in the state that a new traditional ruler has not been installed nor crowned in the town.

Addressing a press conference at the NUJ Press Center in Osogbo, the state capital, the President, Akiriboto-Oke Progressive Elements, Mr Tunji Olasunkanmi, said the community had never commenced the process of selecting a new monarch for the ancient community.

According to Olasunkanmi, while fielding questions from journalists, the Balogun of the town, Chief Julius Olutunde Adesoye emerged as the regent to run the affairs of the town pending the time a new traditional ruler would be duly selected through due process.

He said there was an official statement to that effect issued and signed by the Olufi of Gbongan land,  Oba Dr Aderoye Oyeniyi, which approved the regent for Akiriboto-Oke pending the installation of the new monarch in the town.

Olasunkanmi said that the community would select a new king through open, honest, fair and legal procedure of the law of the land.

The selection process has been activated  following the demise of Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, Oba Samson Afolabi Awolola and conclusion of the burial rites.

The President added that any process on chieftaincy matters in their Local Government was vested in Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council.

Olasunkanmi called on security agencies to be at alert to commence effective surveillance of the town in order to avert any act that could breach law and order.

Olasunkanmi stated that “the community is conscious of the need to protect the life and property of residents who have been living together in peace for over 200 years, while admonishing my people to remain calm and avoid any form of issues or arguments that may lead to communal crisis.

“The entire Ayedaade Local Government was not happy about this matter but we have to passionately plead for patience as we must avoid unnecessary crisis in the interest of our ancient community, entire  local government, Osun State and our dear country Nigeria.”

The President added that “We have listened to some radio announcements and we have read as well some news in the social media on the installation of Ogboru of Akiriboto.

“We want to state here without any fear of contradiction from anyone that the title of our Monarch as recognized by law in the State is Olu of Akiriboto-Oke and not “Ogboru”.

“The name of our town is Akiriboto-Oke and we are part and parcel of Ayedaade Local Government Council, Gbongan.

“The title of our traditional ruler as documented in Ayedaade Local Government and Osun State records is Olu of Akiriboto-Oke.

“In strict adherence to the provisions of Osun State and Ayedaade Traditional Council Chieftaincy rules, the Council of Chiefs, Representatives of all Families and distinguished indigenes of Akiriboto-Oke commenced the process of appointing a regent to control the affairs of the town pending the time a new king would be selected through the laid down procedure.

“The new king must emerge through traditional democracy from the Babalakin Ruling house as stipulated under the Chieftaincy rules of Akiriboto-Oke and Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council.

“The Council of Chiefs, Representatives of all Families and distinguished indigenes of Akiriboto-Oke have not announced the name of a new Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, Ayedaade Local Government, Gbongan.

“We hereby express our displeasure with the fraudulent use of the name of our excellent and peoples Governor-Mr Gboyega Oyetola in some of the announcements that permeated the cyber space recently.

“We also register our unalloyed respect and honour for our father of Yorubaland, His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Akande Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

“We are certain that our Source, Ile-Ife is the custodian of Yoruba culture and we will not allow anyone, however desperate, to drag the honour, respect, dignity and esteem of Ile-Ife and the Ooni into the mud. we will do everything to prevent anyone from ridiculing and dragging them into any controversial Obaship matter.”