The people of Bode-Osi town in Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area of Osun State have told Governor Ademola Adeleke to name Prince Sabitu Biliaminu Ariyo as their new Oba.
The people of the agrarian community alleged a manipulation of the selection process of the town’s new traditional ruler.
The indigenes of the town during a peaceful protest at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital, accused the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, of manipulating the process against the will of the people.
They called on Adeleke to intervene in the matter and declare Ariyo, the candidate they said was freely elected by kingmakers, as the new Oba.
They maintained that the plot by Akinleye to impose another person on them would be vehemently resisted, calling on Governor Adeleke to call his CoS to order to prevent chaos in the town.
Sequel to the demise of the traditional ruler of Bode-Osi, the process of selection of a new traditional ruler commenced in earnest.
But the process was stalled owing to the death of two among the six kingmakers as the remaining four could not proceed with the process.
However, a letter signed by the Director of Administration of Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area, T.O. Onaleye, confirmed the appointment of two warrant chiefs: Alhaji Akibu Alidu Abiodun and Liadi Oluwafemi Samuel, by the Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to fill the vacancy among the kingmakers.
Eventually, the kingmakers voted to select the new Oba.
During the voting by kingmakers to select the new Oba, four of them voted for Prince Ariyo.
Meanwhile, the delay in the official announcement of the new Oba of Bode-Osi led to the protest by the indigenes of the town.
They alleged a plot by Akinleye to manipulate the process.
The Head of Chiefs in Bodeosi, High Chief Oosa, Kareem Muskilu Olayemi, said the kingmakers have chosen the next Oba and appealed to Governor Adeleke to approve their traditional ruler without further delay.
Olayemi said: “We want the governor to help us announce the person we selected.
“We are also pleading with the Chief of Staff to do the right thing by accepting our choice.”
He alleged that Akinleye was supporting another contestant despite the outcome of the selection exercise, which he said favoured Ariyo.
He added that the community was dissatisfied with what he described as an attempt to impose another candidate on the town after a court order to announce the real winner.
Also speaking, Agoro of Bode-Osi, High Chief Fatai Ayinla, explained that the selection process was conducted by kingmakers in the community according to the tradition and that it followed due process.
Ayinla said: “Six chiefs participated in the process after the government approved additional representatives from some ruling compounds.
“We conducted the election on April 8 and voted for Biliaminu Ariyo.
“He got four votes out of six.”
He noted that preparations had already begun following the exercise before the process allegedly became controversial.
Ayinla added: “We don’t understand what is going on again.
“We heard that they want to manipulate the result of the election.
“We are pleading with Governor Ademola Adeleke to announce the person we voted for.”
The kingmakers further appealed to the state government to respect the wish of the people and officially recognise the candidate selected by the kingmakers.
The indigenes of the town said they are in full support of the administration of Adeleke and that they are loyal to the governor and his party.
They promised to vote for him again to be re-elected as the governor of Osun State.
The kingmakers commended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), and officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for their fairness and sincerity in the matter.
The kingmakers and indigenes of the town also commended Yeye Dupe Adeleke for her commitment to ensuring the success of the administration of Governor Adeleke and betterment of Osun State.
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