ABEOKUTA – The Asade/Adekanbi royal family in Ipokia, Ipokia local government area of Ogun, has written Governor Dapo Abiodun, over the vacant stool of Onipokia of Ipokia demanding thorough investigation and adherence to rule of law in handling the chieftaincy issue.
The family, in a letter addressed to the governor and signed by a solicitor, Dr Yemi Oke, informed him that a matter in respect of the vacant stool is pending before a competent court of jurisdiction in a case number AB/253/2019.
The family further informed the governor that the suit was filed because of flagrant failure to comply with directives of the Government of Ogun state issued through the supervising ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs in respect of the matter.
The family alleged that while the parties were still in court, some individuals and politicians have been creating false impressions that they are able to use their closeness to the governor to ensure the crowning of one of the defendants, Prince Yisa Olaniyan as the king of the town.
The family expressed worry that some people; Isiaka Abolurin and Akeem
Adigun (Socopao),have allegedly held themselves out as close confidants of the governor to install Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia kingdom during the forthcoming Ileya festival.
It was further alleged that the trio have also threatened to unleash mayhem and anarchy on the entire Ipokia community and particularly Asade/Adekanbi royal family for dragging the case to court.
Adigun (Socopao),have allegedly held themselves out as close confidants of the governor to install Olaniyan as Onipokia of Ipokia kingdom during the forthcoming Ileya festival.
It was further alleged that the trio have also threatened to unleash mayhem and anarchy on the entire Ipokia community and particularly Asade/Adekanbi royal family for dragging the case to court.
“We wish to use this opportunity to reiterate that we shall use every legal and lawful means to defend the interest of our clients, including filing contempt proceeding to commit anyone to prison for undermining the course of justice.”
Daily Independent gathered that the Ipokia traditional council of chief and the kingmakers, had on May 8, 2019 selected Olaniyan as the new king, contrary to the directive of the local government authorities to put the selection process on hold following petitions on the bonafide candidates to take part in the selection process.
Daily Independent gathered that the Ipokia traditional council of chief and the kingmakers, had on May 8, 2019 selected Olaniyan as the new king, contrary to the directive of the local government authorities to put the selection process on hold following petitions on the bonafide candidates to take part in the selection process.
The chairman of the local government in a letter dated 9th of May, 2019 and directed to the ministry in charge, had claimed that the selection process did not had his authority as provided by law and that the secretary to the local government who attended that meeting was not authorized to do so.
The ministry in another letter dated 10th of May, 2019,had however declared the selection process as null, void and of no effect whatsoever since the process was said not to have followed the due process.
The letter, signed by one Orebiyi S.O, for the Permanent Secretary reads:”Deductions made from the letter is that the secretary to your local government who attended the kingmaker’s meeting where the selection of new Onipokia of Ipokia-elect as an observer representing the local government was not authorised to do so by yourself.The implication of your letter above is that the selection that was done and which led to the emergence of the purposes (sics) new Onipokia of Ipokia did not follow due process.
“Having considered the deduction made from your letter tendered above, I am directed to inform you that the meeting of the kingmakers to fill the stool of Onipokia of Ipokia held on 8th May, 2019 did not follow due process and consequently the selection of the new Onipokia of Ipokia-elect is hereby declared null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The local government, through a letter dated 13th May, 2019 with reference number IPLG.639/218, and signed by the Head, General Service and Administration, Adeniyi A. A., had communicated the decision of the government to the kingmakers.
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Independent reads: “The local government is in receipt of a letter Ref. No. CHM.3/18 Vol.IV/84 dated 10th May, 2019 in respect of the above captioned which directed that the selection process of the Onipokia held on 8th May, 2019 did not follow due process and hence, declared null, void and of no consequence”.
A protest letter sent to the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun titled ‘Selection of new Onipokia of Ipokia Land:Illegality with Impunity’, shed more light on the main contention why the protesters were against the choice of Olaniyan, a United State bases businessman.
The letter reads: “It will be recalled that after the submission of the 8 candidates to the vacant stool of Onipokia by the Iwaye Dodo ruling house to Ipokia local government council, all the five kingmakers allegedly voted for Yisa Sola Olaniyan, in an election process shrouded with ambiguity and controversy as the process was not transparent.
“And even when the process was cancelled and declared null and void and of no consequence by the government in a letter Ref No: IPLG. 639/217 dated 13th May, 2019 duly endorsed by Adeniyi A. K. on behalf of Ipokia Local Government chairman and the so called “Oba Elect” and the kingmakers were served, Prince Yisa is still in Ipebi in Iwaye Dodo Royal compound observing an illegal 3 months pre coronation rites.
“And even when the process was cancelled and declared null and void and of no consequence by the government in a letter Ref No: IPLG. 639/217 dated 13th May, 2019 duly endorsed by Adeniyi A. K. on behalf of Ipokia Local Government chairman and the so called “Oba Elect” and the kingmakers were served, Prince Yisa is still in Ipebi in Iwaye Dodo Royal compound observing an illegal 3 months pre coronation rites.
“It becomes difficult for the people of Ipokia to believe the sincerity of the state government in this matter as the letter served has not changed the situation in Ipokia. Even, all the security agencies including the police, SSS and NSCDC that were believed to have been served with the letter of cancelation of the selection process are still watching helplessly while the IPEBI traditional rites of Prince Yisa Olaniyan are still going on day and night in Ipokia without check.
“To this end, we are using this medium to challenge the State Government and the local government chairman on whose authorities the letter was written and served to the concerned persons to clear the air on the whole situation.
“Secondly, the 1956 Chieftaincy Declaration in respect of selection of Oba of Ipokia states unambiguously that it is only upon the absence of a suitable candidate of patrilineal decent that a
female line comes into consideration. In the list presented to the traditional chiefs, four out of eight candidates are from the patrilineal descent (three from Asade family and one from Akinlade family) and the five chiefs could not consider any suitable candidate among the four qualified male candidates but a candidate from the matrilineal descent owing to alleged grease of palm by the US based candidate.
female line comes into consideration. In the list presented to the traditional chiefs, four out of eight candidates are from the patrilineal descent (three from Asade family and one from Akinlade family) and the five chiefs could not consider any suitable candidate among the four qualified male candidates but a candidate from the matrilineal descent owing to alleged grease of palm by the US based candidate.
“If after thirteen days, the obnoxious selection and 8 days after, the government letter of cancellation of the selection process has been served, the so called “Oba -elect is still in Ipebi (seclusion)with traditional rites going on unchecked, we wish to call on the attention of His Excellency to right the wrong by removing the Prince in Ipebi and calling for a fresh nomination process to be witnessed by the required government functionaries in a transparent manner. We believe that the government in power will do justice to our request.”
Sulaiman Fasasi writes for Independent Newspapers. He graduated from the prestigious department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta as the best print students in 2007. He has put about 10 years into the practice of journalism in Nigeria. Fasasi is happily married with kids.
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