Traditional Stool: Ondo community rejects Deji of Akure interference

THE Kingmakers and the people of the Isolo community in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Sunday, warned the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, to stay clear of the traditional stool of the community.

The warning was handed out by the kingmakers at the end of a council meeting, saying the action of Oba Aladetoyinbo was against the state government directive and also described it as an abuse of court process

Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers, the Olosunla of Isolo, High Chief Hezekiah Babatunde, during a Press Conference argued that since the matter is before the Supreme Court, the Akure monarch has no right to install any traditional head for the community.

Babatunde stated that there was a suit before the Supreme Court with suit No: SC NO 267/2012 between the Deji of Akure as defendant and Iralepo of Isinkan and Osolo of Isolo as appellants in a case to determine the Obaship status of the two communities.

The kingmakers, however, said that the stool of Osolo remain vacant in the eye of the law, saying that Counsel to the appellants in the Supreme Court case, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has told the court in the last sitting on July 12, 2018 that the stool remain vacant until the appellate court make its pronouncements on the suit filed by both Iralepo of Isinkan and Osolo of Isolo to determine their true status as kings over their respective communities.

According to Babatunde, who maintained that the suit before the Supreme Court recognised Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi, as the Regent of Isolo, saying she is standing in as appellant representing Osolo

He, however, said being the traditional head and recognised by the court and law, saying not until the case is fully disposed of, no other traditional head for Isolo community cannot be enthroned.

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“Therefore, we have resolved at today’s council meeting, as representatives of our people that only our Regent, Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi has the full rights and privileges to be addressed as the traditional head of Isolo community.

“She has the rights and backing of the entire community to enter the palace and perform all traditional rites and festivals, including this year annual “Owayoko” Yam Festival, and contrary move or action will be strongly resisted.

“We’re using this medium to call on security agencies to maintain law and order within the Isolo community, before, during and after the Owayoko festival in other to avert communal clash and bridge of public peace.

“We, therefore, call on our Regent, Princess Adebusola Oluwatuyi to immediately resume and commence further activities at the Osolo palace in preparation to host this year Owayoko festival and other traditional rites as the traditional head of the community,” Babatunde stated

There has been a tussle between the people of the community and Oba Aladetoyinbo for about two months, over an alleged imposition of one Prince Edward Kolawole Adeewole as High Chief Osolo of Isolo by the paramount ruler of Akure land.

The people maintained that the Deji of Akure went against the state government directive that traditional rulers across the state should suspend appointment of minor chiefs within their domains pending the release of Government White Paper on Hon. Justice C.E.F Ajama Commission of Inquiry into Chieftaincy Matters.

This, according to Isolo kingmakers, was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, and dated 27th April 2017, directing all traditional rulers in the state to suspend appointment of minor Obas, Olus, Baales, Chiefs.

According to the letter, “At the state security council meeting held on Monday 17th of April, 2017, the state government was informed of the various chieftaincy and communal crisis that erupted in recent times upon the appointment of some minor Obas, Olus, Baales and Chiefs by some paramount rulers in the state.

“Government has considered the development and resolved that all such appointments should be suspended pending the release of Government White Paper on Hon. Justice C.E.F Ajama Commission of Inquiry into chieftaincy matters.

“All traditional rulers are, therefore, directed to suspend the appointment and removal of minor Chiefs, pending the release of the White Paper according”

Isolo kingmakers, however, said, “the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi went against the state government directive by appointing a high chief to occupy the Osolo Stool on 4th of June, 2018, an action that has pitched the community against the monarch.”

Speaking on behalf of the palace, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Mr Micheal Adeyeye, said
the appointment of the new Osolo by Oba Aladetoyinbo is in order.

Adeyeye said “I want to tell you that the Osolo is an High Chief under the Deji and there is no acrimony between the Deji and the new Osolo as we speak.

However, the Deji is not opposed to the upgrading of the Osolo. There will be time to talk about that and it will be harmoniously worked out”

Speaking on the suit at the Supreme Court, he said the Appeal Court has dismissed the Judgment of the High court since 2012 but said “the Supreme Court case being referred to by the so-called chiefs, you will find out that a ruling has been given by the Supreme court with the panel headed by the current CJN.

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“The supreme court dismissed the case for want of diligent prosecution. The current attempt to seek the leave of the court to allow them to prosecute the case afresh does not affect the judgment of the Appeal Court which is clear on the status of the Osolo and Iralepo”

He, however, said “It is unfortunate that anyone will talk of a pseudo-crisis in isolo. It is just a mere wishful thinking of whoever is saying that.

“The Deji has not done anything against the law. All that has been done concerning the new Osolo is in order and the people of the Community are happy about it.

“If you go to Isolo as we speak, you will see a relatively peaceful community and all the residents, sons and daughters of Isolo are happy with the Osolo.”