The selection of new monarch in Ifon community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo, has sparked crisis in the community, as kingmakers differ on the choice of a new traditional ruler for the town.
This is just as some kingmakers alleged plan by some kingmakers in collaboration with the state government to impose a candidate on them to fill the vacant monarch stool of the community.
The Kingmakers who are Warrant Chiefs include, Chief Adigun John Dayo, Chief Leke Ayodele Samuel, Chief Ayodele Eniolorunda, Chief Dairo Joseph Eniolorunda, and Chief Bishop David Oride.
Others include, Chief Akindele Adejo Igbewa, Chief Seyi Oshodi, Chief Kehinde Falowo Peter, Chief Ekundayo James Taiwo Chief Abiodun Aisida.
The Kingmakers distanced themselves from the arrangement by some kingmakers to present Prince Adelanke Odogiyon to the state government as the Olufon elect.
In a statement issued by the Warrant Chiefs and signed by their Secretary, High Chief Kehinde Falowo, labeled anyone parading himself as the town’s monarch as an impostor, and said such actions contradict the town’s traditions and customs.
The statement read: “We the following kingmakers of Ifon Omima Kingdom got information from a reliable source of the arrangement by Prince Adelanke Odogiyon to present to the state government some group of people tagged kingmakers.
“We then deem it necessary to inform Ondo Stated Government, Ose local Government, the entire people of Ifon, and the general public, that we are not party to that arrangement by Prince Adelanke.
And for the government to equally know that these impersonators are not members of the kingmakers as the real and original kingmakers are presently at Ifon doing our duties.
“It would be recalled that Prince Adetoyese Odogiyan Adelanke was put up for confirmation as Olufon of Ifon last year but after consultations with all the necessary organs saddled with the responsibilities of confirming Olufon in line with all the procedures and processes, he was vehemently rejected and on the rejection we stand.
“This singular act of presenting fake individuals as kingmakers speaks volumes of the desperation of Prince Adelanke to become the Oba through all evil means. This will not stand as we remain and stand for the truth. Ifon is bigger than any individual”
But in a swift response, Odogiyon described the allegation as not only untrue but unfounded, saying there was no plan to present fake Kingmakers to the state government.
He however, said it was the state government through Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that invited all the Kingmakers to a meeting in Akure for a meeting but said he had no hand or influence in the meeting.
However, one of the Kingmakers, High Chief Femi Ajakaye, denied imposition of Odogiyon as the monarch of the town and cautioned those behind the allegation to stop dragging the state government to the selection of a new monarch.
According to him, the state government invited all the Kingmakers for a meeting in Akure but said out of the 13 Warrant Chiefs only five were present and the meeting was called off over failure to form a quorum.
He said, “We have no power to impose new monarch on the town but we must follow due process and all the noise over imposition are blatant lie”.
The Olufon of Ifon stool became vacant following the death of Oba Israel Adeusi, who was killed by some gunmen along the Benin-Owo Expressway in Elegbeka area of the local government in November 2020.
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