By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo.
The Council of Chiefs and representatives of all Families in Akiriboto Oke, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun state have
debunked the insinuation making the round that new Oba has been crowned in the town, says there is no letter from authorities backing the purported claim.
The Balogun of Akiriboto-Oke, Chief Julius Olutunde Adesoye emerged regent to control the affairs of the town pending the time a new Oba would be selected through the laid down procedure.
Speaking, the president, Akiriboto Oke Progressive Elements, Mr Tunji Olasunkanmi said the community has not started the process of selecting a new King in the town.
Olasunkanmi made the disclosure yesterday at a press brief in Osogbo, said the community will select a new Oba through honest, fair and legal procedure of the law of the land, following the demise of Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, Late Oba Samson Afolabi Awolola and conclusion of the burial rites.
He maintained that any decision on chieftaincy matters in their Local Government is vested in Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council.
He called on security agents to at alert
as town has been siege by some weapon wielding and gun-carrying hoodlums which has been put inhabitants of the town have been living under extreme stress and fear since the last two weeks.
He stressed further that the community has conscious of the need to protect the lives and property of all our people who have been living together in peace for over 200 years, therefore
He urged the people of Akiriboto-Oke and Ayedaade Local Government to remain calm and avoid any form of crisis.
We understand the anger of the entire Ayedaade Local Government on this matter and we passionately plead for patience. We must avoid unnecessary crisis in the interest of our Town, Ayedaade Local Government, State of Osun and our dear country Nigeria” he said
According to him, “We have listened to fake radio announcements and we have read fake news in the social media on the installation of Ogboru of Akiriboto. We state without any fear of contradiction from anyone that the title of our Oba as recognized by law in the State of Osun is Olu of Akiriboto-Oke.
“The name of our town is Akiriboto-Oke and we are part and parcel of Ayedaade Local Government Council, Gbongan.
The title of our traditional ruler as documented in Ayedaade Local Government and State of Osun records is Olu of Akiriboto-Oke.
“In strict adherence to the provisions of Osun State and Ayedaade Traditional Council Chieftaincy rules, the Council of Chiefs, Representatives of all Families and distinguished indigenes of Akiriboto-Oke commenced the process of appointing a Regent to control the affairs of the Town pending the time a new Oba would be selected through the laid down procedure.
“The new Oba must emerge through traditional democracy from the Babalakin Ruling house as stipulated under the Chieftaincy rules of Akiriboto-Oke and Ayedaade Local Government Traditional Council.
“The Council of Chiefs, Representatives of all Families and distinguished indigenes of Akiriboto-Oke have not announced the name of a new Olu of Akiriboto-Oke, Ayedaade Local Government, Gbongan.
“We hereby express our displeasure with the fraudulent use of the name of our excellent and peoples Governor-Mr Gboyega Oyetola in some fraudulent announcements that permeated the cyber space in the last one week.
“We also register our unalloyed respect and honour for our Father of Yorubaland, His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Akande Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
“We are certain that our Source, Ile-Ife is the custodian of Yoruba culture and we will not allow anyone, however desperate, to drag the honour, respect, dignity and esteem of Ile-Ife and The Ooni into the mud. we will do everything to prevent anyone from ridiculing and dragging them into any controversial Obaship matter”he added.
In a statement signed by Oba Dr. Aderoye Oyeniyi, Olufi of Gbongan and
obtained by our correspondent dated 29th approved the Regent in Akiriboto Oke pending the installation of the new monarch in the town.
