Ondo Ruling House Wants Akeredolu to Remove Kingmaker

Fidelis David in Akure

The Sejeokun Ruling House of Ijare, Ondo State, has appealed to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, to remove Chief Wemimo Olaniran, the Sapetu of Ijare, who is also the head of the kingmakers, alleging that his conduct has been obstructing and disrupting activities in the town.

In a letter signed by Prince Adekunle Alade, Adebanjo Asejuwon and Adebambo Oluwagbemigun, which was addressed to the State Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Ondo chapter of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the petitioners said only the removal of Chief Olaniran, could bring peace and harmony back to the community and ensure a speedy and impartial selection of a well-qualified prince to assume the vacant stool of the Olujare of Ijare.

The petitioners alleged that Chief Olaniran has been recklessly interfering in the selection process, just as they said his action has caused  the kingmakers to be at loggerheads, making it difficult for them to arrive at a consensus, thus leading to the polarisation of the entire community.

The petitioners alleged that Chief Olaniran inserted himself as a party in a court case between members of the royal family, even though he does not belong to the ruling house and should only have been an observer in the pending suit.

They also accused Olaniran of creating a parallel opposing group different from the rest of the chiefs and other dignitaries to disorganise the recently celebrated yearly Ijare Day, which was attended by Ijare indigenes at home and abroad.

“But for the maturity of the Regent, Chief Joseph Omosebi, the President of Egbe Ijare Omo Elewe Obi, Mr. Akin Oluwole, and other dignitaries who saved the day by calming the angry crowd, the event would have degenerated into a free-for-all.

“We have written a series of petitions to the Ifedore Local Government, the Police Area Command (Akure), and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; all of them have mediated at different times, advising that Chief Sapetu should not interfere in the family affairs of the royal family.

“The steps taken by Chief Olaniran in recent days are not only a negation of our tradition as a people, they are also highly embarrassing and repugnant to our customs and traditions,” they said.

The petitioners added that it is the exclusive responsibility of the Omowa to present a qualified Prince as Omooye for the vacant stool of Olujare. The responsibility of the kingmakers starts only after we have fulfilled our traditional obligation by presenting a worthy candidate to the kingmakers.” 

They added that Olaniran’s allegiance to the community was highly questionable.