Some indigenes of Igbesa, a community in Ado-Odo Otta Local Government Area of Ogun State, living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, have renewed their plea with the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to expedite action on the installation of the Oba-elect of the town, Prince Abdulazeez Oluwatoyin Akinde, in order to bring down rising tension among the local populace.
Akinde was issued a certificate of selection by the Ado-Odo Otta local council in March last year in which the council declared him the new Oloja Ekun-elect (Oba-elect) of Igbesa, following his selection by the community’s kingmakers.
But the community’s indigenes in the Diaspora, who were concerned that it was more than a year after the Oba-elect was named, said so many intrigues had now been introduced, making the state government to foot-drag in performing its obligation of giving a staff of office to the new monarch.
In a joint statement by the Awori Descendants Union, United Kingdom and the Ireland, and Igbesa District Community Development Association, UK, the indigenes urged Governor Amosun to follow due process and install the Oba-elect, as a way of respecting popular will, due process and dousing the rising tension in the community.
“While we know that our amiable governor is busy with so many state schedules, we would urge him to act fast and perform the installation of our new Oloja Ekun-elect, as a way of respecting popular will, due process and dousing rising tension; as peaceful coexistence in Igbesa is gradually being affected by the activities of those who want to capitalise on the delay in installation, to subvert popular will,” they said.
In the statement jointly signed by the General Secretary, Akin Akanji Ajo; the Imam and Spiritual Father, Sheik Olusola Dauda; and Public Relations Officer, Jayeola Odunlami Odunsi, the indigenes in the Diaspora noted, “We are all living witnesses to what happened in neighbouring Ado-Odo community, where they witnessed many years of bloodshed and disquiet over a similar delay in the installation of an Oba for the community.
“Igbesa people of the Awori descendants are peace-loving Nigerians and are very industrious and as such, would not want any violence in our community, arising from chieftaincy dispute.
“Since Prince Akinde has been nominated by the community’s kingmakers, after all traditional screening and rites, and was subsequently issued a certificate of selection as Oba-elect by the local council, we believe nothing should stand in his way again from ascending the throne of his forebears.”
Igbesa has been without a monarch since the last Oloja Ekun, Oba Samuel Banuso, joined his ancestors in 2015.
