….Akure North Council Boss rejects monarch’s action
The Deji of Akureland , Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi has removed Chief Johnson Ajomole as the Olu of Ilado Deji (or Ilado Igbatoro), in Akure North local government area of Ondo state for alleged gross traditional misconducts, and replaced him with Chief Ifedayo Joshua Afelumo.
Introducing the new Olu of Ilado Deji at his palace, Oba Aladetoyinbo said he has the traditional and legal powers to appoint minor chiefs, Olus and Baales in both As Akure South and Akure north local government areas, hence his decision to install Chief Ifedayo Afelumo as the Olu of Ilado Deji community.
The Monarch lambasted the Executive Chairman of Akure North local government, Hon (Surveyor) Bankole Ogbesetore, for questioning his authority to remove or appoint Olus in Akure North, advising him to limit himself to his council administrative duties.
The Deji who spoke through the Odopetu of Akure Kingdom, Senior High Chief (Architect) Olufemi Bello, insisted that one of his ancestors, late Oba Oba Adelegan Adesida, installed Chief Ajomole aa Olu of the community over twenty years ago and he has the right to remove him and appoint new one.
Oba Aladetoyinbo said, “On the removal of Chief J.K Ajomole as the Olu of Ilado Deji, we wish to restate that the position of the Deji on this remains valid. There is no iota of doubt that he was installed by the Late Deji, Oba Adelegan Adesida III. The Deji also hold the right to remove him for alleged offences which had been communicated to him.
“On the recent statement credited to the Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Hon. (Surveyor) Bankole Ogbesetore with respect to the power of the Deji of Akure Kingdom as the prescribed and consenting authority over the appointment of Minor Chiefs, Olus, Baales and Olojas in Akure North Local Government.
“It is therefore, laughable that, the Chairman of Akure North will dabble into a matter that had been adjudicated as to determine who should be and should be not, thereby constituting himself into a Court of law.
“It is just expedient that the Council Chairman, rather than trying to create confusion, should take a bold step and summon courage to speak truth to those who claimed ignorant of the law on this matter.
“Therefore, the appointment of Olus, Baales, Olojas in areas that historically, traditionally and culturally belongs to the Deji by Him is already a settled matter which is non-negotiable. This has no political colorations as it’s a purely a traditional affairs which borders on our cultural heritage and hegemony.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the recognized Olu of Ilado is Chief Afelumo Ifedayo Joshua. His Majesty wishes to restate his commitment to the peace and growth of Akure Kingdom not minding the little challenges bedeviling us,” the Monarch said.
YOUR ACTION CAN’T STAND —Council Boss tells monarch
Reacting, the Executive Chairman of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Hon Bankole Ogbesetore described the removal of Chief Ajomole as illegal, insisting that the government would not accept such action by the Deji and it would not stand.
In avoidance of communal clash over installation of Olus and Baales in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Ogbesetore, had in May this year, written the state government through the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to alert it over the looming steps to install paralleled Olus in some communities by the Akure monarch.
In the petition, Ogbesetore stated that imminent crisis in some parts of Akure North local government area due to alleged action of the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade.
In a copy of the letter made available to newsmen in Akure, Hon Ogbesetore pointed out the alleged illegal installation of Olus in Akure North and the recent attempt and installation of some illegal Olus where there were no vacant stools by the Deji had caused palpable situation in the affected communities.
The letter reads, ““Sir, the recent and imminent crisis call for your urgent and prompt intervention. Akure North Local Government was informed through the letter of Emmanuel Emodamori Esq of Femi Emmanuel Emodomon & CO; Lawyer to the Chieftaincy Commttee of Akure North Local Government about the continuous and unabated attempt of the Deji of Akure to Install another rival OIu of Ilado-lgbatoro.
“It may surprise you to note that the stool of Olu Ilado Igbatoro is not vacant as there is an Installed Olu over 34 years ago (Chief Ajomole), many years before the installation of the present Deji of Akure. The present action or anticipated action of the Deji of Akure would cause another war or set fire on Akure North Local Government and its environs, Sir this must be resisted before a blink of an eye,” the Chairman said.
The local government boss, therefore, called on the state government and security agencies in the state to intervene and prevent the looming crisis from snowballing.
