Onirun vacant stool: Akeredolu’s Aide alleged in Irun Akoko Protest

The chieftaincy tussle rocking Irun Akoko in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state,over its inability to install a new ‘Onirun’ after eight years has taken another dimension as hundred of natives led by Chiefs, youths leaders and opinion leaders staged a peaceful protest to demand for installation of new traditional ruler.

The protesters who carried leaves, called on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to resolve the protracted chieftaincy tussle rocking the town since the last Onirun passed on.

The stool of Onirun of Irun, a first class monarch, became vacant in November, 2011 after Oba Williams Adeusi from Oke Omowa Ruling House joined his ancestors.

It is now the turn of Oke-Ose Ruling House to produce the next monarch according to a government’s circular and the aggrieved people of Irun insisted that only three branches of the Oke-Ose Ruling House namely: Bada, Aguda and Fagbolu families will produce the next Onirun.

The Protesters through the Salaja of Ogo-Irun, Chief Raphael Oguntade and the Olisa of Irun, High Chief Rufus Ajakaye noted that all efforts to have a transparent selection process in recent past had been frustrated by local and state governments’ officials with vested interest.

The Protesters demanded that governor Akeredolu should mandate Akoko Northwest local government to ensure a transparent nomination and selection with only traditionally and officially recognized eight kingmakers.

The kingmakers/warrant chiefs who are recognized include; Pa David Asamo of Ijowa Quarters, Sola Olaiya- Sajowa of Ipatare Quarters, Olokorun Oso-Ade of Ijowa Quarters and Adedeji Olajide, the Ajiboye of Ileo Quarters.

Others are; the Odoule of Ipatare, Ojo Olotu; the Olisa of Ipatare, Bayode Falade; Segun Ajiboye, the Ajiboye of Oke-Olu; and Habiib Sanni, the Alaka of Ijowa Quarters.

Other people who spoke on behalf of the community included, Prince Moses Agboola Aguda (Secretary of the Ruling House), Prince Owolabi Bada, Michael Adedayo, Evangelist Omotoyinbo Iwalowo, Femi Olokintuyi, (Opinion Leaders), Chief (Mrs) Selinah Adun (Women leader) and Olorigbo of Irun, Prince Adelake Aladesuyi.

The people spoke further, “Irun community prefers the eight originally approved kingmakers/warrant chiefs instead of five concocted kingmakers of Segun Ajiboye, the state Chief Press Secretary to the governor and his cohorts.

The former has conducted same exercise in 2015 but was set aside on the ground of irregularities perpetrated by the LG officials and a fresh exercise was consequently ordered in lieu.”

“The state government should therefore allow the eight kingmakers/warrant chiefs to complete the selection process in accordance with the mandate given in their letter to their appointment and in line with directive of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs on same.”

“It is important to note that the situation in the town where there is no Oba or regent is embarrassing and need to be addressed.”

“In order to prevent violence in the town, the council of chiefs wrote relevant security authorities, but unfortunately the complainants are now being treated as accused as if the chiefs were wrong to have alerted the relevant agencies of looming crisis in the town.”

“Unfortunately the insecurity in the town is being orchestrated by a retired security man, in a person of Mr. Femi Oloketuyi who is presently misrepresenting the town in police community relationship committee (PCRC).

This man has been using this position to harass, intimidate Irun people and thereby giving negative image of the police to the community.

They concluded that, “Irun community is praying the whole world to prevail on relevant agencies to facilitate credible selection process for the emergence of new Onirun that will ensure foster peace and unity in Irun kingdom”.

Reacting to the allegation of complicity levelled against him, the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo state governor and one of the Irun kingmakers, High Chief Segun Ajiboye denied involvement in the logjam surrounding the selection process of new Onirun.

He said the issue of appointing new Onirun was still at nomination level from the families, wondering what concerned him as a kingmaker.

Ajiboye explained that the community had been battling with the obaship tussle for over eight years while he only got appointment as the governor’s Aide in 2017, adding that he had been working for the progress of the town rather causing conflict.

The CPS appealed to the people to maintain the peace always, insisting that some elements were trying to blackmail and implicate him on the issue.

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