Crisis brews in Lalupon over Obaship

CRISIS may be brewing in the Gudugba family of Lalupon, in Lagelu local government of Oyo State over the occupancy of the stool of king of Lalupon.

Though one Muniru Arigbabuwo had reportedly been installed by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji as king of Lalupon, another member of the family, one Gbolagade Siyanbola is also laying claim to be the one that has the family’s support to be king.

Siyanbola, who addressed journalists at the Baale Oke residence of the family in Lalupon, specifically said Chief Whip of the State Assembly, Honourable Olafisoye Akinmoyede erred in recommending Arigbabuwo to the Olubadan, without due consultation with the family.

Siyanbola, who spoke alongside other family members like Pa Oladele Siyanbola, Pa Raufu Oyesetan, Pa Kamorudeen Oyelese, Pa Lateef Oyesetan, Pa Ayodabo Oyesetan, argued that Arigbabuwo was not a descendant of Gudugba lineage, but hailed from Agbenike compound in Iragberi.

“We state categorically with all emphasis at our disposal that the interloper called Muniru Arigbabuwo who is pretending to the throne is not a descendant of Gudugba but a descendant of Agbejinmi who, as the name affirms hailed from Agbenike compound in Iragberi.

“We state unequivocally that only the princes from the three dynasties namely: Oyelese, Oyesetan and Siyanbola Orisadare are the descendants of Gudugba Alapaleko and only they can lay claim to the throne,” Siyanbola stated.

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Doing a historical overview of the Gudugba Isioye lineage from Oyesetan to Oyelese and Siyanbola, an elder present at the conference, Oladele Siyanbola, still awaited the consent of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on approving of Gbolagade Siyanbola only to learn that Muniru had been installed.

Reacting to his alleged involvement in the brewing crisis, the Chief Whip, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Olafisoye Wasiu Akinmoyede denied the allegation levelled against him and the Olubadan of Ibadan land over the installation of Alhaji Muniru Arigbabuwo as the Onilalupon of Lalupon, saying that his installation followed due process having been thoroughly investigated by the Olubadan in Council upon his nomination by the Gudugba family.

Akinmoyede said five candidates from the Gudugba family signified interest in the Onilalupon stool out of which the Mogaji (family head) nominated the name of Muniru Arigbabuwo to the Council of Chiefs in Lalupon.

He added that the council recommended him to the Lagelu Local Government which in turn recommended him to the Oyo Ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy matters, while the ministry recommended him to the Olubadan in Council through his representative in Lagelu Local Government, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan.

“Upon his recommendation to the Olubadan, the Olubadan thereafter ordered a thorough investigation to his nomination by the Gudugba family that nominated him which lasted for over a year. Having been satisfied with his nomination, the Olubadan approved his installation as the Onilalupon of Lalupon,” Akinmoyede added.

Olafisoye stressed further that having installed Muniru Arigbabuwo as the Onilalupon of Lalupon by the Olubadan of Ibadan, what was left was the governor’s approval and presentation of staff of office to Arigbabuwo as a second class Oba.

“There are two ruling families in Lalupon, the Akinmoyede and the Gudugba, and the stool became vacant following the death of late Pa Akinmoyede. Therefore, it was the turn of Gudugba family to present a candidate, and Alhaji Muniru Arigbabuwo, who has been installed by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, has every right to contest for the position as a bonafide member of Gudugba family in Lalupon,” Akinmoyede said.

He, therefore, urged the aggrieved members of the Gudugba family to sheath their swords and cooperate with the new Onilalupon of Lalupon, Arigbabuwo in the overall interest and development of Lalupon and its people.