Crisis has erupted at Okeigbo community in Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government of Ondo State over alleged imposition of monarch.
Last monarch of the town, Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide, the Bamigbala I, died in May this year and the community has been in crisis over whose ruling house will produce the next monarch.
The Kugbayigbe Ruling House and the Oluoke Ruling House are at loggerheads over the royal stool.
Members of the Kugbayigbe are laying claim to the throne by insisting that the late Oba was never a member of their household, but the Oluoke said it was their turn as the Kugbayigbe had served their time.
Youths of Kuole Oloje Ruling House recently took to the street of Akure to protest alleged plan to impose a traditional ruler on the people.
The protesters, led by Mr Dare Ojetayo, carried placards with inspections such as; “Oke-Igbo Youths Say, it is Kuole’s Turn Now”, “Give us Oba from Kuole Ruling House”, “ Don’t Rub Kuole of its Right” and “ Justice for Kuole Ruling House.”
Ojetayo said it was the turn of the ruling house to present a candidate that would be the king in the community after the death of Oba Bamigbala from Kugbayigbe Ruling House.
He said the Chieftaincy Declaration of the community spelt out how an Oba would be selected.
According to him,
“the last traditional ruler of the community came from the Kugbayigbe Ruling House, saying that the next one should naturally and legally come from Kuole Oloje Ruling House.
“We are aware of clandestine moves by some people in government working in cahoots with members of the Kugbayigbe Ruling House to impose a person from the ruling house as the next Oluoke justifying their decision on a high court judgment which has been appealed against.
“Kugbayigbe cannot reign twice thus depriving our ruling house, Kuole Oloje, our inalienable right to occupy the throne at this auspicious time,” he stated.
Ojetayo begged the state government not to throw the community into another round of crisis.
He said no ruling house had ever occupied the throne twice in succession in the history of the community.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, urged the protesters to allow peace to reign and cautioned them that crisis would only hinder development.
Takuro said the state government would never interfere in any chieftaincy matters but follow the due process of law.
“The entire community must come together to resolve this issue. They as well have three options: wait for court’s judgement, allow throne to remain vacant or resolve it amicably. Mr Governor does not interfere in whoever that become king but only follows due process.”
