The crisis brewing in Lalupon community in Lagelu local government area of Oyo state may have come to an end as the state government last Monday installed the selected Onilalupon of Lalupon, Oba Muniru Arigbabuwo, putting an end to the aggressive race for the throne and the running battle among some members of Arigbabuwo’s ruling house.
And in the spirit of peace, Oba Arigbabuwo immediately after his installation, appealed to aggrieved parties in the contest for the throne to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to move the town forward, adding that it is normal for many qualified princes to contest for the throne but at the end, only one can emerge, not because the others are not qualified but because it is God that decides.
The king, who emerged amidst a keen contest, stated that it was normal for other equally qualified members of his ruling house to aspire for the traditional stool, adding that since he had been found worthy by the family to occupy the thrown and subsequently installed by the state government, other contestants should put the matter behind them and join hands with him to ensure the overall growth and development of Lalupon town.
“I want to sincerely appreciate the common love that we all have for our town which informed our struggle for the thrown. The fact is in every contest, only one person will emerged victorious. Since I have been selected by our people and installed by government, I want to appeal to my brothers who contested the throne with me to put the matter behind them and join hands with to ensure that our town is moved to the next level.
“There is no doubting the fact that Lalupon has been seriously yearning for development and the time for all the sons and daughters of our town to come together to ensure that the desired development is achieved is now. Let us bury the hatchet and bring our expertise to work for our town to develop, I need everyone because we are all important to the existence of this great town,” he said
Oba Arigbabuwo expressed appreciation to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and members of the Olubadan-in-Council for their unflinching support which eventually led to his emergence as Onilalupon of Laulupon.
He vowed to work with other sons and daughters of the town, both at home and abroad to facilitate the influx of local and foreign investors so as to create employment opportunities for the teeming youths and fast track the development of the town.
The traditional ruler further promised to embark on programmes that would have direct impact the lives of the people of his town while calling on indigenes that have ideas that can benefit the town not to be afraid of bringing such forward.
“I am open to ideas, this town belongs to all of us and I want everyone to join the train of moving this town forward. It is a collective responsibility and I want us to see it as our project. Lalupon deserves the best and we can only get it if we join hands and unite for this common cause,” Oba Arigbabuwo stated.