By Ranmilowo Ojalumo
The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has called on Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene in the crisis rocking the selection process of the vacant stool of Akufon of Idarika community in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
The president of the right group, Comrade Alex Omotehinse made the call on Tuesday at a press conference, calling on Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to stall the process of installation the new occupant of the stool until all necessary issues relating to the matter are addressed and resolved.
Omotehinse also called on the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide to urgently direct and mandate the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to intervene by inviting all the concerned parties to resolve all crisis rocking the selection process to fill the vacant stool to avert anarchy in the State.
He expressed displeasure and worry over the unwholesome act and hidden manipulation by the Council Chairman, Mr. Segun Ogunleye in the selection process to fill the vacant stoll.
According to the right group president, “What is of immediate concern and source of worry is the subterranean maneuvers of the Council Chairman, Mr. Segun Ogunleye partisanship in the selection process instead of allowing the kingmakers to do justice according to the established ethics as enshrined in the State Chieftaincy Acts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in spite of publicly proclaimed and communicated via a letter to Igun Ruling House and kingmakers concerned”.
Comrade Omotehinse explained that the late Akufon of Idarika joined his ancestors on January 28, 2021 and according to Idarika Chieftaincy Law under section 4(2) of Customary Court declaration, Ikenne Local Government wrote a letter dated January 2022 to Igundaniyan Ruling House as the next in-line ruling house to bring-forth name of their preferred choice for the vacant stool,
He added that Igundaniyan Ruling House responded by nominating Prince Saheed Abayomi who unfortunately died before he was being summoned to express his acceptability of the stool.
Comrade Omotehinse said “With the new development, the Ikenne Local Government wrote another letter dated April 8, 2024 requesting that Igun Ruling House re-nominate another candidate for the vacant stool. Prince Moshood Onakoya (Secretary of the Ruling House) immediately responded and the letter was signed by Pa Fasasi Ogunmuyiwa (Head of Igundaniyan Ruling House) on 17th of April, 2024 asking for some time for the family elders to meet and resolve on the family’s preferred choice for the vacant stool.
They also use the opportunity to denounce one Mr. Kazeem Oseni who is claiming to be the Secretary of Igundaniyan Ruling House. To the whole family’s surprise, the Local Government responded the following day being April 18, 2024, mandating the family to send-forth the name of their preferred candidate within 48 hours at all cost.
“Precisely two days after the Local Government’s correspondence to Igun Ruling House, without prior notice to the Secretary or any member of the Ruling House informing them of such visit on a Saturday, the Local Government delegation marched to Idarika community to commence the kingship selection exercise. This they did with the sole aim of imposing one Mr. Shomade Olugbenga who is neither a family member nor relative of Igundaniyan Ruling House of Idarika.
“During the process, the Local Government delegation aided by a retinue of Nigeria Police harassed and prevented some kingmakers such as Chief Nurudeen Tomori Jamiu (the Lisa of Idarika and the Head of Kingmakers) from gaining access to the venue of the selection process. The Local Government delegation also deprived the Igun Ruling House from nominating their choice candidate for the Akufon stool.
The right group however wondered why the rush if there is no foul play and partisanship. Omotehinse also lamented that the council chairman delegate usurped the constituted authority of the chieftaincy Acts, ethics and proceedings by taking over the selection process rather being an unbiased observer.
The group is calling on the state government to investigate the matter independently so as to unravels every complaint and allegation in the matter, especially on the council charman’s imposition of one Shomade Olugbenga, who is neither a family member nor relative of Igundiyan family.
While CHSR is calling for governor Abiodun’s urgent intervention on the matter, the right group is also calling on the state Attorney General to immediate call all concern government agency on the to order and to stop any action or inaction on the matter pending when all issues will be resolved.
