… Begs For Abiodun’s intervention
Daud Olatunji
The Okewaye Ruling House in Ado-Odo/Ota,Ogun State has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to impose a class.mate of a personal assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Kamal Yusuf as the Olofin of Ado-Odo/Ota.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Yusuf was sponsoring a candidate whonwas his classmate for the vacant stool.
The ruling house protested the reconstitution of the kingmakers by the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state ahead of the selection of the new Olofin of Ado/Odo.
The Head of Okewaye ruling family, Prince Sulaimon Adedimeji, in a protest letter, addressed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun and obtained by our correspondent, appealed to the governor to prevail on the ministry, the lawmaker representing Ado-Odo/Ota, Musefiu Lamidi and the Secretary to the Local Government, Akonthe Sejero not to disrupt the process.
Raising the objection, the ruling house next to fill the vacancy, after the late Oba died two years ago,accused them of allegedly backing Yusuf’s friend, describing the attempt as gross human rights violations, unethical practices, and illegal conduct.
The family also alleged bias and partiality on the part of local government officials responsible for conducting the nomination and selection process, accusing them of favouring a particular candidate through illegal means.
The family alleged that the officials are holding secret meetings and maintaining a partisan relationship with the deposed Olori Ebi of Okewaye, Mr. Mufutau Francis Adekunle,who the family said had been removed.
The family expressed concern that the officials intend to use security agents to intimidate and disenfranchise legitimate aspirants, raising the specter of potential civil unrest.
While faulting the composition of the kingmakers,which now has nine members including three kingmakers, the family highlights discrepancies in the appointment of six warrant chiefs, labeling it as illegal and unconstitutional.
The family insisted that the three surviving kingmakers should be allowed to conduct the selection process, arguing that the move is an attempt to undermine established laws and procedures to favour a particular candidate.
The family therefore, calls on Governor Abiodun to intervene and ensure a free, fair, and credible selection process, emphasizing the potential for litigation and civil unrest if the irregularities persist.
The family called for urgent attention from Governor Abiodun to safeguard the integrity of the selection process and uphold the principles of justice in filling the vacant throne of Olofin of Ado Odo Kingdom.
The family asserts their commitment to the due process and the rule of law, calling for transparency and fairness in the selection process.
The ruling house protests the reconstitution of the kingmakers by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, prior to the selection of the new Olofin of Ado-Odo.
Sulaimon Adedimeji, the Head of Okewaye ruling family, in a protest letter addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, urges intervention to prevent disruption by the ministry, Ado-Odo/Ota lawmaker Musefiu Lamidi, and the Secretary to the Local Government, Akonthe Sejero.
The ruling house, slated to fill the vacancy after the late Oba’s demise two years ago, accuses officials of backing Yusuf, labeling it as gross human rights violations, unethical practices, and illegal conduct.
Alleging bias and partiality, the family claims local government officials favor a particular candidate through illicit means and engage in secret meetings with the deposed Olori Ebi of Okewaye, Mr. Mufutau Francis Adekunle.
The family expresses concerns about potential civil unrest, suggesting the use of security agents to intimidate and disenfranchise legitimate aspirants.
Objecting to the kingmakers’ composition, now with nine members, including three kingmakers, the family highlights discrepancies in the appointment of six warrant chiefs, deeming it illegal and unconstitutional.
They insist that the three surviving kingmakers conduct the selection process to prevent undermining established laws and procedures.
The family calls on Governor Abiodun to intervene, ensuring a free, fair, and credible selection process, emphasizing the risk of litigation and civil unrest if irregularities persist.
“Urgent attention is requested to safeguard the integrity of the selection process and uphold justice in filling the vacant throne of Olofin of Ado Odo Kingdom, with a commitment to due process and the rule of law.”
When contacted, Commissioner Ganiyu Hamzat refutes the claims, stating the ministry does not recognize the three kingmakers, challenging them to present evidence of their appointment by the late Oba.
Secretary Sejero faults the ruling house’s action, attributing the kingmakers’ constitution to the ministry, while Assembly member Musefiu Lamidi questions the legitimacy of the three kingmakers, emphasizing the need for evidence of their appointment by the late Oba.
Lamidi denies supporting Kamal, expressing a focus on justice in the matter.
He said “ we are not the ones that constituted the kingmakers. The ministry was the one that constituted, the council has nothing to do with that. They should take their demands to the ministry and to us.”
Also reacting, the member of state House of assembly representing Ado-Odo/Ota constituency 1, Sefiu Lamidi said he was interested in justice.
Lamidi who queried the status of the three kingmakers said there was no evidence that they were appointed by the late Oba as kingmakers .
The lawmaker said in Ado-Odo, the tradition stipulates that anyone that would be made a kingmaker must be installed by the Oba with certificate, asking them to present their certificates.
He said “ I want to share my perspective on the matter. I was born and raised in Ado-odo and have served as the chairman of the local government from 1999 to 2002. Claims that I work for Kamal in Abuja is unfounded.
“I’ve consistently communicated my stance, emphasizing to the ministry that Ado doesn’t have recognized kingmakers.
“ The individuals claiming to be kingmakers were not known, and their alleged installation by the late Oba lacks credibility.
“In Ado, the tradition dictates that the installation of kingmakers is a celebrated event, involving existing kingmakers voting for the new appointees.
“ I’ve urged the ministry to exercise patience to avoid legal disputes, emphasizing that a hasty decision could lead to a prolonged process, as witnessed in the previous 20-year selection.
“Despite inviting the purported kingmakers to the Assembly twice to present their documents, they failed to appear. I’ve challenged them to provide evidence of their installation.
“I’ve chosen not to impede the appointment of warrant chiefs to prevent accusations of obstructing the selection process. Claims that I support Kamal are baseless; my focus is on justice and nothing else.”
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