Following the suspension of the selection process for a new Awujale of Ijebuland by the Ogun State government, a group of residents, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest across Ijebu-Ode in support of the decision.
The protesters, under the banner of Ijebu Sons and Daughters and Ijebu-Ode Progressive Youths, marched through major roads in the town carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “Awujale stool is not for sale,” “Governor Abiodun, save Ijebuland from crisis,” “We want the best prince as Awujale,” and “Let there be a free and fair selection process.”
The procession converged on Ijebu-Ode Local Council Secretariat, where the Chairman, Dare Adebiosu, addressed the crowd. He assured the protesters that the state government had no preferred candidate, explaining that the suspension was to ensure strict adherence to due process.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Babatunde Salami said the demonstration was intended to send a clear message to the kingmakers to act responsibly.
Another protester, Mr. Yusuf Adetilewa, expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as rumours of bribery and corruption surrounding the selection process. Mrs. Morolayo Oyesefo also called for equal treatment of all contestants.
Also, the Alagemos in Ijebuland have backed the state government’s decision.
Speaking after a meeting held at the palace of the Ija-Oloko of Imosan, the Alapini Awopa General of Ogun State, Tajudeen Adekunle Muili, expressed confidence in Governor Dapo Abiodun’s handling of the matter.
Also speaking, the Gbosa and Baale of Imosan, Wahab Samsideen Adebayo, noted that the suspension would allow kingmakers to properly conclude the process by giving all contestants equal opportunity.
HOWEVER, a Pan-Ijebu socio-political group, Ijebu Parapo, has raised the alarm over an alleged interference of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the selection process of aspirants to fill the vacant stool of Awujale of Ijebuland.
This was just as the council of Otunbas kicked against the disqualification of some of its members by the council of kingmakers in Fusengbuwa Ruling House, insisting that no law prohibits holders of the Otunba title from ascending the throne of Awujale.
The group, in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Chairman, Olayiwola Sonowo, expressed disapproval of Sanwo-Olu’s alleged meddling in the selection process
Awujale stool’s nomination: Fusengbuwa family lauds Abiodun’s neutrality
Already, the Head of Awujale Kingmakers and the Olorogun of Ijebuland, Sonny Kuku, had said that the kingmakers would resist any attempt from different quarters to impose any one as candidate for the vacant stool of Awujale.
However, the group alleged that the Lagos State Governor convened the council of Kingmakers and offered them a blank check to select one of the aspirants, Prince Abimbola Onabanjo, as the next Awujale, insisting that the governor lacked the power to impose a candidate on the people of Ijebuland.
The statement reads in part: “Ordinarily, we did not want to join the fray. We had hoped that reason would prevail and due process would guide the selection of our paramount ruler. However, seeing that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, we have elected to raise the alarm over the unwholesome activities of Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is meddling in the whole selection process.”
The group warned that if Sanwo-Olu does not desist from his antics, it would “mobilise Ijebu traditional worshippers to storm the seat of government in Lagos State and disrupt government activities.
Relatedly, the Council of Otunbas, who made their intention known in a letter jointly signed by the Chairman of the council, B. Alebiosu, Vice Chairman, Akin Osiyemi, and Secretary, Ayodele Osibogun, and addressed to the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, noted that members of the council, despite the title, have the right to become the next Awujale.
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