Faridat Ogundairo
The Akotogbo community in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State has been embroiled in a crisis, following a contentious decision made by the kingmakers, who have seemingly ignored the choice of the oracle.
The kingmakers declared Prince Micheal Elumaro Akinfolarin as the Oba-elect, triggering a wave of dissatisfaction among some community members.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Ifa oracle had allegedly designated Prince Adeteye Akindele from the Igodan-moko Ruling House as the rightful Larogbo of Akotogbo, to succeed the late Oba Turoti Martins Jola-Ade, who passed away in 2009.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the selection of Prince Akinfolarin took place under the supervision of Mr. Oladipupo Temenu, the Secretary of the Local Government, on behalf of Chairman Mr. Olusegun Ajimotokin.
Temenu explained that the kingmakers had decided to resort to an election after the traditional method of selection, which involved consultation with the oracle, failed to disqualify any of the candidates.
Temenu explained that Prince Akinfolarin, Out of the five accredited kingmakers who participated in the exercise, secured four votes.
He stated, “It is glaring that the oracle jointly consulted by the three priests disqualified none of the candidates, nevertheless, it is a must for us to select a candidate and no other means than election.
“You, Prince Micheal Elumaro Akinfolarin, having possessed certified requirements and scored the highest number of four votes cast from election against zero, is hereby declared the winner”
However, Chief Ayo Omolafe, a kingmaker from the Igodan-moko lineage, vehemently called for the nullification of the selection process, alleging that the kingmakers had disregarded the agreed-upon modality between the two main parties.
Omolafe emphasized that the authentic candidate, as revealed through oracle divination and in accordance with the collectively adopted traditional modality by all five certified kingmakers of the Akotogbo community, was Prince Akindele.
He said, “the exercise of today was full of irregularities when the modality registered with the state government to be adopted to select a new Oba (Ifa) was violated and we can never accept the outcome.
“The priests had earlier consulted Ifa where Prince Adeteye Akindele Sunday from Igodan-moko ruling house was revealed as authentic Oba-elect.
“But it was Irele Local Government chairman Barrister Olusegun Ajimotokin and four other Ijamas (Kingmakers) who turned things upside down after being romanced”.
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