OPEN LETTER OF ADMONITION BY ONE MR. FRANCIS BANKOLE ADEUYI – ANOTHER CAST IN THE NOLLYWOOD MOVIE INSTALLATION OF A PSEUDO KING; THE HAND OF ESAU AND THE VOICE OF JACOB.
My attention have been drawn to the vituperation and open display of unpardonable ignorance in a purported open letter allegedly written by one Mr. Francis Bankole Adeuyi who is desperately embittered by my emergence as the Iralepo of Isikan. I am aware of the fact that He and his sponsors are yet to recover from the shock of their failed script and poorly executed plan to install an Oba. It was indeed a colossal failure.
It is pitiable that the author of the ruse (open letter) is only acting the second episode of their failed Nollywood installation and crowning of a pseudo Oba in Isikan which only existed within the figment of their imagination, having failed in their initial plan.
As the Iralepo of Isikan, I would have refrain myself from dignifying his inglorious outburst with a response, it is however necessary for me to reply and assist him so that he won’t continue to live in self-illusion and deceit. It is also imperative to make some clarifications as to prevent the good loving people of Isikan from falling for his antics.
First, it is totally illogical and an act of irresponsibility for him to ever imagine that a successful entrepreneur and employers of labour like me will be desperate over the Iralepo Chieftaincy. Unlike him and his cohorts whose desperation and efforts to make an end means was the bait that attracted them to the Iralepo Chieftaincy.
For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that signifying my intention to be the Iralepo was not borne out of desperation but genuine mind of transforming Isikan Community and bringing my experience to bear in the scheme of things as a successful entrepreneur. Am not naïve on the current state of things and with all sense of responsibility, am very vast in the history of Isikan as a community despite spending longer years in pursuing a greener pasture in the United Kingdom. I have never been far from home and there is no iota of doubt that am popular and acceptable among my people.
However, let me quickly address some of the issues raised in your ill-fated letter. As a law abiding and a good student of history, I have informed those who care to listen that the purported selection process you claimed to have produced one Gbenga Ojo was originally a peace meeting and parley among those vying for the Iralepo of Isikan. You, however played to the gallery by declaring it a selection process for a traditional ruler.
Let me say without any iota of contradiction that the Late Iralepo of Isikan, High Chief Olu Ojo became an Oba through the pronouncement of the Ondo State High Court. The Court Judgment necessitated the Agagu’s government to present him with the instrument of office. The memory of the Obaship of Late High Chief Olu Ojo was however short-lived following the judgment of the Appeal and Supreme Court. As a peace loving community, must we continue to live in defiance to the pronouncement of the court? Can we continue to act and live as people above the law? The answer is NO.
I am so delighted that the late Iralepo of Isikan, High Chief Olu Ojo became a member of the Deji In-Council and regularly attended the meeting of the council till his final breath. We must appreciate him in death for showing that he is indeed a law abiding individual and for showing Isikan the right path.
It is disheartening that one of his sons who usually accompany him to the meetings could turn around and misinform the public on the status of the Iralepo of Isikan. What a highest level of hypocrisy. Let me borrow the words of Mark Twain that “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes”
I chose to leave them to their conscience in their desperation to change the narratives. “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
It is laughable that these comedians went as far as hoodwinked the unsuspecting good people of Isikan to believe them that once they succeeded in carrying out their evil plan of installing pseudo King, the Government would quickly present their stooge, Mr. Gbenga Ojo the instrument of office. What a great disappointment for the producers and directors of this comic movie.
The author claimed in his letter that they sent a letter for me to append my signature and I refused. I am happy that he was courageous to recognize my firm decision in refusing to join the bandwagons of sore losers. I know the truth and I will stand for the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
Mr. Adeuyi needs to wake up from his slumber. I know that he is only a willing tool in the hands of people who wants to keep us at war against each other. I know that he who pays the piper call the tune. He only needs to be chastised in love just like the proverbial word of our Lord Jesus Christ “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Mr. Adeuyi, your case is pathetic as this is the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob.
Let me make it abundantly clear that the Deji and the Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II is not averse to the upgrading of the Iralepo Chieftaincy to the status of an Oba but things must be done orderly and within the ambit of the law.
Without mincing words, I want to assure the good people of Isikan that in no distant time, we shall begin to witness the great transformation we all yearned for. I call on everyone to eschew all forms of acrimony and animosity that could further divide us. We will surmount all the challenges, the drama will end, the truth shall triumph and we shall all rejoice.
I want to sincerely appreciate the Deji of Akure for his fatherly role and wisdom even in the face of unwarranted provocation. This indeed is a show of true leader who believes in the good and harmonious relationship of her people.
I specially thank the Ondo State Government, the Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and all other stakeholders for standing with the truth and allowing it to prevail. More importantly, I give kudos to Mr. Governor for standing firm by what is true and just. You are a blessing to our state and a leader worthy of emulation.
Conclusively, “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle for the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all’.
I will not be deterred by their antics and I know that the good minds will not relent in the concerted efforts to seeing a great Isikan of our dream.
Written & Signed by:
Mr. Dare Adeyeye
COS to the Iralepo of Isikan (High Chief Gbenga Adeyeye)
December 10, 2021
