The
community are raising fears that there are some underground moves by the
Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa to install his
preferred candidate contrary to the choice of the people of the
area.
The
candidate, who failed to appear before the screening committee constituted by
the Regency Council, Chief Femi Solaja, an officer at the Yewa North Local
Government, is being tipped by Adeoluwa to be the next monarch of
Obada-Odo.
It was
learnt that the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, is
poised to jettison the preferred candidate chosen by the chiefs and leaders of
Oba-Oko, the development, it was gathered, angered the chiefs and leaders in the
community.
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They
have, therefore, promised to resist any attempt to impose the unpopular
candidate, who is not close to the community.
According to a
reliable source, Adeoluwa, who is from Erunbe – the township to produce the next
Olu of Obada-Oko – had supported one Femi Solaja, a staffer of Yewa North Local
Government, who shunned the Regency Council screening exercise conducted to pick
the new traditional ruler.
The
rotation of the stool, according to the Obada Oko-Chieftaincy Law of 2008, is
among Igbore, Erunbe, Opelifa and Ogunsolu, with the late monarch, Oba Mufutau
Adisa Sofidiya, who died on July 27, 2015 from Igbore.
The
source alleged that Adeoluwa on Thursday (today) had presented Solaja to the
Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, after assisting him to obtain
letter of approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy
Affairs.
The
community had earlier forwarded the names of two candidates – Chief Ajani
Ifadairo Adebiyi, the Baale of Erunbe and Chief Kashimawo Ogundare, the Jagumolu
of Obada-Oko – to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, after the
Regency Council screened the five aspirants who showed interest in becoming the
second monarch of the town.
In a
letter dated July 2, 2016, the Regency Council presented the two aspirants to
Oba Gbadebo to choose one of them. Others who appeared before the screening
committee but lost out are Chief Olawale Oguntoyinbo (Baale of Abule Ake), and
Chief Isiaka Bamgboye, Baale of Pakudi, while Chief Femi Solaja shunned the
committee.
“Kabiyesi we are
now forwarding the two to you our Royal Father who is the best judge to select
and appoint one out of the two that will be the best to uplift the status of
Obada-Oko to greatest height as the next king of Olu Obada-Oko Egbaland and
Kingdom,” the Regency Council said.
The
letter was signed by Chief John. A. Adesida, Sakotun of Obada-Oko and Chief
Ismaila Rasaki, Jaguna of Obada-Oko, who are the Secretary and Chairman of the
Screening Committee respectively.
Others
who signed the letter entitled “Report on Screening for vacant stool of Olu of
Obada-Oko” are Chief Sina Akinwale (Ogboye), Chief Benjamin O. Akinwunmi
(Akogun), Chief Gafar Olatunbosun (Mayegun), Chief Ayinla Adebiyi (Osi) and
Chief Ganiyu A. Olatunbosun (Balogun), who is the Chairman of the Regency
Council.
The
chiefs specifically told Oba Gbadebo that Chief Ajani Ifadairo Adebiyi, Baale
Erunbe “was chosen as number one for having the quality to lead, co-ordinate and
having better human relationship and he has moved closely with the late monarch,
he also understand culture.”
The
GatewayMail further learnt that after the community was advised to
present only one candidate to Alake, they met and resolved to submit the name of
Adebiyi.
In a
letter dated September 21, 2016 and addressed to Oba Gbadebo, the chiefs and
Baale of Erunbe Obada-Oko said that they had “universally approved”
Adebiyi.
“We are
using this medium to reaffirm our unflinching support for our Baale Adebiyi and
appeal to your highness for your consideration to select Chief Ifadairo Adebiyi
as the next Olu of Obada-Oko,” they told Oba Gbadebo.
The
letter, copy of which was sent to the Regency Council, was signed by Chief Yinka
Yoriosho (Otun Baale), Chief Dare Gbolahan (Aare), Chief Zachariah Sobodun
(Babalaje), Chief Lateef Omidiji (Maiyegun), Chief Adio Shangodare (Akogun),
Chief Lateef Shangodare (Akeweje), Chief ‘Deji Akingbade (Bada), and Chief Semiu
Oludare (Olori-Odo).
They
told Alake: “The two contestants are from female lineage and nobody or no
contestant from the male linage showed interest as at the time of final
selection.”
“Having
explained the selection process sir, the committee members of Erunbe Obada-Oko
concluded their assignments, nominated and recommended Chief Ifadairo Ajani
Adebiyi from Solaja clan, an incumbent Baale of Erunbe Obada-Oko as the
community candidate for the vacant stool of Olu of Obada,” they
added.
They
further told Oba Gbadebo: “Your royal majesty sir, Chief Ifadairo Ajani Adebiyi
being a man of the people loved by all displayed his team work spirit at the
screening exercise conducted by Obada-Oko Regency Council in the midst of
Ewekoro Local Government Secretary, chieftaincy department and security agents
where his qualities were eulogised.
“His
closeness to the demised Olu of Obada-Oko and the people made him to understand
Obada-Oko’s cultural heritage more than the other contestants as stated in their
unequivocal report without division whereby he was selected as the first choice
candidate recommended to your highness for approval to the vacant stool of Olu
of Obada-Oko, Ogun State.”
They further
stressed: “Conclusively Kabiyesi, some of the aforementioned are the reasons
that we feel we should intimate you with why we are still queuing faithfully and
assiduously too at the back of our Baale, we also joined the Regency Council of
Obada-Oko that selected him as their choice to appeal while prostrating to your
Royal Highness to take into cognisance all the parameters mentioned earlier in
this appeal letter and recommend our Baale, Chief Ifadairo Ajani Adebiyi as the
next Olu of Obada-Oko.”
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