Daud Olatunji
A group known as the Concerned People of Orile-Imo Forum has addressed a protest letter to Governor, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, raising alarm over the alleged plan to impose an Oba on the community of Orile-Imo in the Obafemi-Owode local government area.
The protesters armed with leaves and placards with various inscriptions “Alake cannot force Oba on Orile Imo” “Baba Alake, there is God ooo”,“Do not take Imo people for granted “and “Voice of Ilu is the voice of God baba Alake”, converged on the governor’s office,Oke-Mosan, on Monday.
They were addressed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, accompanied by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, and other officials.
The protest letter was submitted to the Chief of Staff, who promised to deliver it to the governor and update his boss on the crisis.
The letter, titled “Imposition of an Unacceptable Candidate as Olu of Orile-Imo: A Call for Serious Concern,” urges the governor to intervene and uphold the rule of law regarding the selection of the new king.
Taiwo, while addressing the protesters, acknowledged the crisis and confirmed that he had ordered the election repetition on April 30, which again confirmed Chief Alawode as the choice of the people.
He defended Governor Abiodun’s fairness and assured the protesters that the governor would not override the community’s decision.
In their letter, the forum brought to the governor’s attention what they termed an “act of unfair imposition” of a candidate as the Olu of Orile-Imo.
The letter detailed the events leading up to their protest:
The letter read partly, “Initial Selection: On June 19, 2020, the Imo Traditional Council selected Chief Mathew Alawode as Olu of Orile-Imo, after he received six out of nine votes.
“Subsequent Selection: On April 30, 2024, the selection process was repeated, and Chief Alawode again emerged as the preferred candidate, securing six out of eight votes”
Despite these outcomes, the forum claims that there have been efforts from certain quarters to impose another candidate, which they strongly oppose.
Chief Mabinuola Ilesanmi, Baale Shomorin Agbedi, speaking with newsmen after the protest, emphasised that the community’s concern was over the planned imposition of an Oba against their wishes.
He reiterated that Chief Mathew Alawode was the rightful choice of the people, having been elected twice.
Chief Ilesanmi expressed satisfaction with the government’s response and urged that the governor ensure the people’s choice is respected.
He highlighted that any imposition could lead to unrest, emphasizing the community’s resolve to have their elected candidate, Chief Mathew Alawode, installed as the Olu of Orile-Imo.
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