….Rejects fresh selection process
There is a mounting tension as Okunbadejo Ruling House of Oda community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State has advised the state government to suspend every arrangement towards selecting a new Olojoda, insisting that it is not yet time for any fresh nomination process.
The ruling house raised the alarm following a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs directing the Olumadeji Ruling House to begin the process of presenting candidates for the vacant stool.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Mr. Sunday Omoseebi, who spoke on behalf of the Okunbadejo family, expressed shock that the government would initiate another selection process when a substantive case challenging the rightful ruling house for the throne is still before the Supreme Court.
According to him, the matter — with suit number SC/CV/251/2024 filed on April 19, 2024 — seeks to determine the legitimate lineage entitled to the Olojoda throne, following the controversial installation of the late Julius Ajayi Omomo.
Omoseebi explained that the screening committee earlier set up to verify the ancestral background of contestants had confirmed that the late Omomo did not belong to the Okunbadejo ruling house. Despite its findings and the recommendations forwarded to the Chairman of Akure South Local Government and the kingmakers, the late Omomo was “illegally installed without the approval of the governor.”
He stressed that proceeding with a new selection process while the Supreme Court is yet to deliver judgement would amount to preempting the court’s decision and could trigger unrest in the community.
“This is not the appropriate time to commence any selection process.We are appealing to the kingmakers and the Ondo State Government to maintain status quo and allow the law to take its full course. The Supreme Court must be allowed to determine the true lineage of the late Omomo, who was disqualified during the family selection process.”
He noted that the need for caution became more urgent following the death of the late monarch, whose legitimacy is still a subject of litigation.
Omoseebi added that rushing into a new process may heat up the polity and endanger the fragile peace currently enjoyed in Oda community.
“This intervention is necessary to curb and guard against an impending crisis in the town. We urge the next ruling house to also maintain peace and wait for the final decision of the Supreme Court,” he stated.
The Okunbadejo ruling house therefore urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and ensure that no ruling house is nominated or screened until the apex court resolves the matter.
They insisted that respecting the judicial process is the only way to guarantee lasting peace and fairness in the selection of the next Olojoda of Oda.
Lastly, the ruling house appealed to His Excellency, Governor Aiyedatiwa, to seriously warn the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akure South Local Government, and the Olumadeji Ruling House of Oda Town not to take the law into their own hands, in the interest of peace in Oda Community.
