By Ajibola Adedoye
There is need for the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene in the worrisome dimension of the selection process of the vacant stool of Akufon of Idarika community in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Comrade Alex Omosehinse, President of Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) who made this submission while addressing journalists on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 also advised the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to stall the process of installation until all necessary issues relating to the matter are addressed and resolved.
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Omosehinse said “What is of immediate concern and source of worry is the subterranean maneuvers of the Council Chairman, Mr. Segun Ogunleye in the selection process instead of allowing the kingmakers to do justice according to the established ethics as enshrined in the State Chieftaincy Acts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in spite of publicly proclaimed and communicated via a letter to Igun Ruling House and kingmakers concerned”.
According to CHSR President, “The late Akufon of Idarika joined his ancestors on January 28, 2021 and according to Idarika Chieftaincy Law under section 4(2) of Customary Court declaration, Ikenne Local Government wrote a letter dated January 2022 to Igun Ruling House as the next in-line ruling house to bring-forth name of their preferred choice for the vacant stool, they reciprocated by nominating Prince Saheed Abayomi but as fate will have it, Abayomi died before being summoned for acceptability of the stool.
“With the new development, the Local Government wrote another letter dated April 8, 2024 requesting that Igun Ruling House re-nominate another candidate for the vacant stool. Prince Moshood Onakoya (Secretary of the Ruling House) immediately responded and the letter was signed by Pa Fasasi Ogunmuyiwa (Head of Igundaniyan Ruling House) on 17th of April, 2024 asking for some time for the family elders to meet and resolve on the family’s preferred choice for the vacant stool. They also use the opportunity to denounce one Mr. Kazeem Oseni who is claiming to be the Secretary of Igundaniyan Ruling House.
“To the whole family’s surprise, the Local Government responded the following day being April 18, 2024, mandating the family to send-forth the name of their preferred candidate within 48 hours at all cost.
“Precisely two days after the Local Government’s correspondence to Igun Ruling House, without prior notice to the Secretary or any member of the Ruling House informing them of such visit on a Saturday, the Local Government delegation marched to Idarika community to commence the kingship selection exercise. This they did with the sole aim of imposing one Mr. Shomade Olugbenga who is neither nor relative of Igundaniyan Ruling House of Idarika.
“During the process, the Local Government delegation aided by a retinue of Nigeria Police harassed and prevented some kingmakers such as Chief Nurudeen Tomori Jamiu (the Lisa of Idarika and the Head of Kingmakers) from gaining access to the venue of the selection process. They also deprived the Igun Ruling House from nominating their choice candidate for the Akufon stool.
Among other demands, CHSR is however calling for a diligent investigation by the appropriate authorities in order to confirm the allegation and complaints of Igun Ruling House about the imposition of a non-family member by Mr. Segun Ogunleye (the Executive Chairman of Ikenne Local Government).
“We also want the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly to urgently direct and mandate the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to intervene by inviting all the concerned parties so as to avert anarchy in the Gateway State” he concluded.
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