BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Indigenes of Iree town in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, on Tuesday, commended the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke for correcting alleged illegality committed by the immediate past administration as regards Aree stool.
Adeleke had on Monday ordered that all appointments of traditional rulers made by the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola be reviewed to ensure strict compliance with due process of Chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.
The governor, according to a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, had ordered Oba Gboyega Famodun, Owa of Igbajo, Oba Yinusa Akadiri, Akinrun of Ikirun and Oba Ponde Ademola, Aree of Iree to vacate their palaces while security agents should take over.
Reacting to the order, on Tuesday, Olubonku Ruling House in Iree, in a statement signed by Prince Ali Afolabi, one of the contenders to the stool, said Governor Adeleke ad saved the ancient town from needless chaos and crisis that might have been occasioned by the unlawful selection and installation of Ponle Ademola as Aree of Iree.
Afolabi said the nullification of the Chieftaincy appointments and constitution of panel to review same had enthroned peace and justice in the land.
The statement reads, “With hearts full of gratitude, joy and deep appreciation, we, Olubonku Ruling House in Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, write to commend His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, for saving Iree from crisis that might have engulf the town following the illegal and unlawful imposition of Ponle Ademola as the Aree of Iree by the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola.
“For us in the ancient town of Iree, the executive order No. 5 as pronounced by Mr Governor is a very significant intervention that is acceptable and appreciated by the overwhelming indigenes of Iree, both at home and in the Diaspora.
“We are so grateful to His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke for his decision to review the purported installation of a new Aree as we have not hidden our stand that the emergence of Ademola Ponle as Aree of Iree was unlawful, fraudulent and an attempt to rubbish the custom and traditions of the good people of Iree.
“Before the selection of Ponle, the kingmakers of Iree had instituted a suit before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun asking the court to stop the immediate past administration from appointing warrant chiefs. But, the erstwhile government, especially former Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Adebayo Adeleke, in a bid to carryout their selfish biddings, disregarded the suit and went ahead to select Ponle without the presence of the kingmakers.
“After the eleven (11) aspirants were made to pay the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00) to local government, another sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000.00) to Osun State government and also payment of 3 years tax clearances, the former administration failed to invite aspirants for any interview or screening and also refused to let the kingmakers carryout the election.
“Even after the State High Court sitting in Ikirun ordered a stay of action on the Aree stool, the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke, flouted the order of the court and went ahead with the installation of Ponle as Aree.
“While we express sincere appreciation and gratitude to the intervention of Mr Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, we appeal to the incumbent administration, through the just constituted Panel for Chieftaincy Matters in the state, to thoroughly look into all issues surrounding the stool of Aree and ensure that justice is done as our town is in dire need of peace, justice and development.”
