The Mopa Traditional Council in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State has clarified the controversy raised by the Concerned Mopa Senior Citizens during their purported press conference held in Abuja on the Elulu Mopa dispute.
The council pointed out that there are no ruling houses in Mopa land; rather, it operates a rotational arrangement between the Odole and Ileteju axes of the community.
According to a press statement issued and signed by the Secretary of the Council, Chief Alaiyemo Durojaiye Stephen, the Olu Ilaro of Mopa Land, on Saturday and made available to newsmen, the council described the group as disconnected from their roots and far removed from the reality on the ground in Mopa today. It stressed that the community has moved on, leaving them behind in their illusions.
The statement noted that the traditional council would ordinarily not have dignified the group with a response to their fabricated lies. However, a response was deemed necessary to inform the public of the true position regarding the emergence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the 4th Elulu of Mopa land.
It stated that the entire Aku community participated in the selection process until their preferred candidate was unsuccessful on 6 February 2024. Following this disappointment, the candidate approached the court, seeking to overturn the outcome through legal means to hijack the revered stool.
The council reaffirmed the rotational principle between the Odole and Ileteju axes as the foundation for various aspects of Mopa’s traditional governance. It highlighted that the rotational system is reflected in the strategic location of traditional council buildings in both Odole and Ileteju areas, which have been in use for generations. This principle ensures balance and harmony within the traditional setup.
“By adhering to this system, the council aims to ensure fair representation and participation from both areas in the governance of Mopa,” the statement read.
The statement further revealed that there has been no formal declaration since 1916 regarding the formation of Imopapo, later renamed Mopa, by communities coming together. However, a significant agreement was reached in 1987 between communities in the Ileteju axis, specifying that the Ikeji community would be next in line to produce the Elulu of Mopa, as it was deemed their turn. It asserted that traditional leadership and succession in Mopa are not controversial, as claimed by the group.
It added that the people claiming to own a ruling house are currently residing on Ikeji land.
“The people complaining today know the truth because they know that they came to meet the Ikeji community on their land in 1911 before the communities agreed to live together in 1916. In fact, the people are still residing on the same land to this day.”
The statement noted that when the late Elulu, Oba Julius Joledo, appointed Pa Iyagin as the Otunba of Mopa from Ipatia, after his demise, Oba Joledo went on to appoint the immediate past Otunba, David Olojo, from Ilegemo due to a disagreement with the Ikeji community. The Ikeji community protested the appointment, which was against the implementation of the 1987 agreement, and went to court in 2005 to challenge Oba Joledo’s actions.
The council pointed out that the statement of defence filed by the late Elulu exposed the lies fabricated against the Ikeji community. Oba Julius Joledo later retraced his steps by restoring all the traditional rights of the Ikeji community, recommending the Oba of Ikeji for grading in 2021, which has now been effected, making him a Grade 3 Chief in Kogi State.
The protests led to calls for a roundtable settlement, where it was resolved and agreed that the Ikeji community would take their turn in the next Elulu stool, which has now produced His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, from the Ikeji lineage.
The statement clarified that Ipatia and Ilegemo are not clans or ruling houses but exist alongside others in the Ileteju axis of Mopa land. The Ileteju axis comprises the following communities: Ayinaku, Patia-Iloke, Ilegemo-Iloke, Ikeji, and Ijagbe.
The council dismissed allegations of bribing the judge, stating that it is the group’s lawyer who boasts about special connections within the Koton Karfe Court. It accused the group of attempting to intimidate and blackmail the judiciary to deceive and gain institutional support, adding that they would be called for questioning at the appropriate time.
The council also refuted claims that the Elulu had discussions or invited the Ohimege of Koton Karfe and Maigeri of Lokoja to interfere in the ongoing court case, describing the group’s assertions as laughable.
The statement clarified that alleged political office holders whom the group claimed were interfering were friends of the Elulu long before his appointment. Despite their closeness, there have been no discussions about the court case, and their interactions have been limited to official engagements.
It emphasised that His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, was duly appointed as the Elulu of Mopa land by the Kogi State Government.
The council concluded by stating that the Concerned Mopa Senior Citizens might be building false hope on the involvement of one Mr Michael Ajayi in Governor Ododo’s campaign visit, which the group believes gives them leverage with the governor. It added that the perceived political connection has no bearing on the emergence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, as the Elulu of Mopa.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then