…Says Election of a new monarch will not hold if
…Urges Gov. Akeredolu to wade in to stop acts capable of igniting fire
Members of Ibule Community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State today embarked on a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office, alleging imposition of warrant chiefs on truly certified kingmakers.
The demands of the high powered delegation led by some titled chiefs, youth leaders and kingmakers include reversal of court judgment giving authority to a warrant chief to head traditionally recognized institution; a return to use of 3 traditionally recognized kingmakers to vote for the emergence of a new monarch as well as recognition of truly certified warrant chiefs to perform their traditional roles in the smooth transition process
Addressing journalists, one of the kingmakers, Chief Mrs. Olayiwola Victoria said the only reason warrant chiefs were appointed in 2015 was because the kingmakers could not form a quorum and having completed that assignment then, the three living kingmakers are well able to elect a new monarch for the community.
Chief Mrs. Olayiwola who said the recent court judgment accorded authority to a warrant chief as Chairman of the committee over traditionally recognized kingmakers further noted that said such move is alien to the custom of the land as there is an existing hierarchical arrangement that starts out with Amugofin family(late) to Oluoye family (late) and then to Asamo family, Iyeule family and Agba-Akin family.
Also speaking, Chief Benjamin Olaniran Oyekanmi while urging the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to wade in to stop likely outbreak of commotion in the peaceful community, called on all political appointees with vested interest in the matter to allow the people’s choice to emerge saying the community will not allow the election to hold if it tramples on the existing customs and tradition of the land.
In separate remarks, High Chief Ologodo of Ibule, Chief Solomon Omilusi, Mr. Ogunleye Olabode, one of the youth leaders and Osanyusi Idowu, while expressing worry at recent developments in the community urged the Governor to call respective political appointees with vested interest in the emergence of a new monarch to order saying the people will not just fold their arms and watch the custom and tradition been trampled on.
Some of the placards on display during the protest read: “All the ruling house in Ibule-Soro reject court judgement”, “Dont set Ibule-Soro on fire”, “A particular candidate can not decide for the community” among others.
Receiving the delegate on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry noted that the request from the community is before the Ministry and would be looked into.
He also urged them not to take laws into their hands and to seek redress in a higher court, stressing that in no time, those that needs to be invited for further discuss will be called upon for further briefing.