Tension is mounting in Olorunda, a community in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, as residents and indigenes have vehemently rejected the alleged plan to impose one Segun Ogunsola Philip as their traditional ruler.
The aggrieved residents, who stormed the Ogun State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, declared that Ogunsola is not an indigene of Olorunda but from Gbagura land.
They vowed to resist any attempt to install a “stranger” as their monarch, warning that such a move could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Ogunsola is not from Olorunda,” “We already have a Baale in Olorunda,” and “Government should listen to the poor on obaship issues,” the protesters decried what they described as an attempt to destabilize their peaceful community.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Secretary of Kesan Orile/Olorunda Community, Chief Oguntade Johnson, accused the state government of fueling an unnecessary crisis by considering Ogunsola for the kingship position.
He clarified that Olorunda, which falls under Yewa land, only installs a Baale (village head) and does not have a king.
“We already have an acting Baale, Chief Ashamu Adegbola Agbomabiwon, who is recognized under the Omola of Imala land,” Johnson stated.
“Olorunda is not under Gbagura; it is a Yewa community. We are calling on the state government to stop this move before it causes a serious crisis. We don’t want bloodshed in Olorunda.”
He appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiu Hamzat, and the Attorney General of the state, Hon. Oluwashina Ogungbade, among other relevant authorities, to intervene urgently.
Also speaking, the youth leader of Kesan Orile, Comrade Oyeyemi Abegunrin, reinforced the community’s rejection of Ogunsola, insisting that he had never served as a Baale and, therefore, could not be upgraded to a kingship position.
“Ogunsola Philip is not from Olorunda. He is from Gbagura in Egbaland, while Olorunda is under Yewa. How can an Egba man rule a Yewa community?” Abegunrin queried.
“This has been a matter of contention since 2014, and the case is currently before Justice Majekodunmi at the Ogun State High Court 4 in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.”
He called on the state government to respect due process and the will of the people, warning that the community would resist any attempt to impose an outsider on them.
The residents have now placed the onus on the Ogun State government to prevent what they say could degenerate into a violent dispute if not swiftly addressed.
While reaffirming their commitment to peace, they stressed that any attempt to force Ogunsola’s kingship would be met with strong resistance.
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