By: Olusola Aderemi
The Government of Osun State, through the Ifelodun South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has started the process of selecting of another king for the ancient town of Eko-Ende, after the demise of Oba AbdulRauf Adebayo Olaniyan Ajiboye (Olaigbo VIII) , which occurred late in March this year.
The process started with a meeting between the leadership of the Local Government and members of Ayedun ruling house (the next ruling house) on September 21, 2023. At the meeting, the Council Management, lead by Mrs. Adepoju requested the family head to present the nominated Crown Prince to the council. The head of the family, Prince Oyekunle told the gathering that it was difficult for the family to present a Crown Prince because many Princes, including his own son were interested in becoming the next Elende of Eko-Ende land. He therefore asked the council to follow the legal procedures and come up with an acceptable candidate.
Mrs. Adepoju therefore educated the Princes present of the procedure to ensure smooth and unbiased process. She informed that each individual would need to obtain Expression of Interest form to indicate his intention to become the next Elende of Eko-Ende. The form was available with immediate effect and should be submitted within two weeks with the necessary fees.
At the close of the day on October 6, 2023, 12 Princes collected and submitted forms.
On October 11, 2023, another meeting was held. The meeting got the Princes nominated by individual members of the family. It was ascertained at the meeting that, only authentic and bonafide members of the Ayedun Ruling House collected forms and got nominated at the meeting.
One thing that was worthy of notice was the fact that most of the princes were nominated by their direct blood brothers and fathers except Prince Waheeed Babatunde Adekunle FCA, who was nominated by the Ees’orun of Eko-Ende Chief Rasheed Niniola while he was seconded by Prince Adebayo.
The feelings in the ancient town of Eko-Ende now is that of renewed hope. Indegenes and friends of the town are rejoicing and appreciative of the State Government that a new Oba is going to emerge without any rancor or acrimony.
The onus is now on the Kingmakers, lead by High Chief Isaac Kolawole Ogunkeye to do the necessary consultations and come up with the best candidate that will move Eko-Ende forward. The Kingmakers, five of them (with the demise of the one) will each cast votes for the candidate of his choice at the final stage, in the presence of council officials who will supervise the process.
With this transparent process, the youths are waiting; the elderlies are eager, Everyone is hopeful that a new, acceptable Oba will be selected and approved by the state government very soon.
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