Tension in Ondo community over obaship tussle

From: Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

There was tension in Akungba-Akoko, in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Thursday, over the lingering obaship tussle in the town.

Some residents of the town protested against the rumour making the rounds that one Isaac Sunday Adeyeye Ajimoh was declared the traditional ruler of the town by the Olusegun Mimiko administration at the twilight of his tenure.

The rumour generated rumpus in the town as supporters of Prince Oseni Isiaka Adu, who had earlier been selected as the Alale of Akungba-Akoko by the kingmakers in the town, protested against the news.

It was gathered that Ajimoh was not nominated by the kingmakers, neither was he selected by the kingmakers as the Alale of Akungba-Akoko.

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare-Akoko had in December, 2013 declared Prince Adu as the rightful person to occupy the vacant stool of the Alale of Akungba Akoko, though the ruling is currently being challenged at the Court of Appeal, Akure.

In his reaction, Prince Adu said he already appealed to his supporters to remain calm, saying the fake news was being carried by loyalists of Mimiko in the town.

He added that “The reason for this purported illegality is not far fetched. Some elements from the other side are restless and they have

alleged me of pitching tents with Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu the Governor of our dear state and they believe my relationship with him will be an additional benefit for me, hence the rumour.

Prince Adu appealed to the state government to hasten action on his installation as the traditional ruler of the town based on the judgment delivered by the state High Court, Ikare on February 13, 2013.

He also called on the people of the town to remain calm and be law-abiding pending the state government’s decision on the obaship issue in the town.

Although Ajimoh could not be reached for comment, a resident of the town who claimed to be his close ally dissociated him from the crisis in the town, saying Ajimoh is a peace-loving person who is entitled to the stool of the Alale of AKungba-Akoko.

It would be recalled that the town had since 2013 been embroiled in serious crisis following move by two persons to occupy the vacant stool of Alale.

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