A group known as Awori United Front (AUF) says the newly installed Oniba of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaiman Adeshina is presently manipulating the result of primary being conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iba Local Council Development and allegedly plotting to impose his candidates in the local government primary.
In a statement on Saturday, Adebayo Jimoh, coordinator of the group, said the Kabiesi in collaboration with National Leader of the party had concluded plans to hold a “sham” primary election in the council.
Adebayo rejected the flagrant rejection of due process by the Kabiesi, describing the action as aberration which must be condemned by all reasonable people. Where on earth would a supposedly royal father will take a side when he is supposed to be neutral?
He said it was only the electoral officers of the party and by extension, the INEC staff who could be saddled with monitoring of the primary election and not a monarch.
While calling for the cancellation of the primaries, the coordinator expressed dissatisfaction with the “brazen circumvention of the democratic process” in the arrangements as there are no constitutional provisions for the monarch.
See the statement:
“How has the mighty fallen
Oniba of Iba at it again.
Barely 6months into his installation the Agbero Kabiyesi of Iba Kingdom who was installed by the All Progressives Congress National Leader has not only turned himself into a dictator monarch but has also begin to terrorize the people he’s meant to protect.”
“He single handedly installed the daughter of the APC national leader as the Yeye Oba of Awori land against the strong opposition from all other Awori monarchs.
“It was reliably reported that he was given 3 million naira to sell the Awori daughters cheaply.
“The report reaching had it that the monarch is at the verge of installing one of his agbero stooge Abila Yisa Abiola as the Chairman of Iba LCDA against the popular candidate of the political leaders.
“Haven been warned by his cohort and benefactor Toyin suarau, (former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State.), he marched to the polling center this morning and warned, threaten all indigenes of Iba against voting for the popular and strong candidate, with a cause that who ever goes against this directive will be exiled from Iba.”
“As at writing this report, he is seated at the center ensuring that votes are being casted under duress against the popular candidate.
“The people of Iba Kingdom are still in shock as it was also revealed to them that Jendor and Oniba have been working hand in hand.
“We therefore call on leaders in the council to rise above this denigration of our democratic process by the opportunists. A clarion call on Alhaja Idiat Adebule, (Former Lagos Deputy Governor); Hon. Toyin Suarau, Former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos state) to speak out and save Iba Kingdom from the hands of fifth columnist.