Akureland set to nominate new oba-elect as Osupa (111)goes to court
Entrance gate of Deji of Akure
Two weeks after the deposition of the last Deji of Akure, Oluwadare Adesina Adepoju, the process for the selection of a new monarch for Akure Kingdom began on Friday with the appointment of chairman and secretary of a selection committee for one of the ruling houses in the town.
The Akure south local government had, on June 17, 2010, written a letter to the ruling house, comprising Adesida, Faturoti, and Arosoye lineages to kickstart the selection process towards the appointment of a new Deji for the town.
The former king was deposed and banished by the state government on June 10, for beating up his wife, Olori Bolanle Adepoju, in the public for alleged infidelity.
The ex-monarch reigned for five years before he was removed, and is banished for six months by the state government. With his removal, Mr. Adepoju becomes the first Oba, in modern times, to be sacked and banished from his kingdom by a seating government in Ondo State. His removal has now paved the way for a member of the other ruling family, known as “Ojijigoguni” to ascend to the throne.
In the letter, signed by the secretary of the local government, K.O. Busari, all the ruling houses were directed to forward the name, contact addresses, and GSM phone numbers of the accredited head and secretary of their ruling houses to the regency council.
The Ojijigogun ruling house, at a meeting held on Thursday, at Rainbow Hotel, Akure, appointed Adelusi Victor Adegoroye of Stadium Road as chairman of the ruling house, while Soladoye Arosoye of Oluwatuyi Quarters, Akure, was pronounced the secretary.
The ruling house has consequently forwarded the two names to the local government for further action, as part of the selection process on the new Deji of Akure.
Challenges to the process
Meanwhile, the former Deji-elect, Adegbola Adelabu, has called on the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, not to commence a fresh selection for the appointment of the vacant stool of the Deji of Akure land until his mandate is given to him.
Mr. Adelabu said since the selection of the deposed monarch was marred with irregularities, the state government should urgently declare him as the monarch of the town and give him the staff of office.
Mr. Adelabu, from the Osupa ruling house, was in 2005 unanimously endorsed by his kinsmen and his name had already been sent to the 18 traditional king makers, who subsequently unanimously chose him and sent his name to the government for ratification. His choice was, however, opposed by some prominent members of the town who prevailed on the then state governor, Segun Agagu, to annul his selection.
“I have all rights on the surface of this earth to ascend the throne of my forefathers. The way the former monarch got there was nothing but absolute irregularity. He was selected on Tuesday and received staff of office the following Monday, without following due process.
“There is no need for the state government to conduct a fresh selection when I was duly selected by the kingmakers. I have waited for five years to get what belongs to me, and it is now time to get to the throne by the special grace of God, he said.”
The deposed king has also taken the state government to court to challenge his deposition. Mr. Adepoju claims the process leading to his removal was inconsistent with the state’s laws.
Source;234next
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