Asalu of Ipetumodu in Ife-North Local Government Area of Osun state, Chief Sunday Afolabi Adedeji has revealed that the kingmakers followed due process in the selection of the new Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Prince Joseph Gbenga Oloyede as no subsisting court injunction against his selection.
Chief Afolabi, who is also the head of kingmakers in the community was reacting to the allegations leveled against him and two other kingmakers in the town by some princes who expressed dissatisfaction over the selection process of the new monarch.
He said contrary to the claimed by the disgruntled princes, led by Prince Taiwo Ayoola, the kingmakers took necessary steps to ensure that the process was devoid of flaws.
According to the head of kingmakers, who led two other kingmakers and members of Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU) to the press conference, Prince Ayoola and his supporters are blackmailers who resorted into vilification of their personalities having failed in their efforts to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the town.
He noted, “The nomination of Prince Joseph Oloyede followed due process and without any manipulation whatsoever from anybody as alleged. We followed the tradition and age long process of selecting new king in the town. No monetary inducement as being claimed by those elements led by Prince Ayoola.
“Few days after the completion of burial rites of our late king, I was called upon by the local government as the Chief kingmakers to start embarking on the process. The next ruling house (Aribile lineage ) was contacted by the kingmakers through the Local Government to submit names of interested persons for the throne, in which 13 candidates expressed interests to contest for the vacant stool.
“We were three in number then, following the death of one of the kingmakers, and we agreed to elevate Chief Kehinde Orosanya ( Lofidi) as warrant chief, and the fourth kingmaker with the approval of our local council and Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“On July 26, 2018, out of the four kingmakers, three of us voted for Prince Joseph Oloyede while the other kingmaker voted for another candidate. We continued with the selection process after the injunction the Ayoola’s got in court was vacated”
Expressing displeasure over the allegations that the chairman of Ife-North Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Orosanya connived with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to impose the candidature of Oloyede, Chief Asalu said Ooni gave his consent because he knew there was no any subsisting injunction against the process
He said Ooni acted in accordance with statutory provision that put him in the position to recommend a new king for the government as a consenting authority and not as a result of pressure from any quarter as claimed.
He also debunked the allegations that he and other two lawmakers who voted in favour of Prince Oloyede exploited candidates , saying monies paid for intention forms were voluntary.
In his reaction, the President of Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU) Dr Sunday Oyebowale said there was no any tension nor commotion in the town.
He however urged the aggrieved members of ruling house to take the popular decision with regards to the kingship selection in their stride without blemish.
He urged residents of the sleepy community to be peaceful and come together as one, saying there wouldn’t be development in the absence of peace.
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