From Damola Adeloye, Ibadan
Serene and agrarian Ilu-Iran community in Ayedire South LCDA of Osun State may experience crisis over the choice of who occupies the ancient stool of the community after the demise of the last monarch, Oba Sawiyu Adewolu on May 5, 2023 unless the perceived cries of injustice and impunity are urgently addressed by the state government.
Two letters separately addressed to the governor of Osun State and his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs by legal practitioners, copies of which were made available to our correspondent, said there were allegations of wrongful presentation of a candidate who is a non-indigene.
In the two letters signed by A.T Abdul Rasaq of Metro Chambers and A.F Oladiti on behalf of two of the ruling houses, Awanibaku and Orunmo of Ilu-Iran respectively, it was alleged that Kunle Omolola, an indigene of Elefon Village with the firm support of Alhaji Wasiu Akinwon has been imposed as the candidate for the vacant stool from Olaitan family of Orunmo ruling house.
It noted that aside the fact that the said Omolola is persona-non-grata as far as Olaitan family is concerned, it is not yet the turn of the family to produce the Oniran of Ilu-Iran.
In one of the letters, it was stated that Omolola, using his political clout and that of his godfather, Alhaji Akinwon fraudulently presented himself to the kingmakers and both of them were alleged to have been going around town boasting that they have the political connection to ensure the accomplishment of their mission.
In order to accomplish the nefarious act, it was alleged that Awanibaku family was denied eligibility form for selection into the Obaship of Oniran of Ilu-Iran on the instruction of the chairman, Ayedire South LCDA and to further drive home their mission, original kingmakers of the town were sidelined in the selection process.
Asking the state government to halt the selection process, the aggrieved ruling houses maintained that “in accordance with the customs and chieftaincy law of Osun State, before a person could be selected for the post, he has to be recommended and proposed by the ruling house whose turn it is to present a candidate for the vacant stool”.
In the meantime, Awanibaku family, which is said to be the next ruling house to present a candidate for the vacant Oniran stool has chosen Prince Kazeem Adeosun as its candidate in a letter sent to the National President of the Royal Union of Owu People, RUOP, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade.
In the letter signed by Alfa Saliu Fabunmi, Chief Dauda Akintayo, Pa Suara Akintayo, Mrs Jaworatu Adeniran, Semiu Olaitan, Mutiu Alao Orunmo, Alhaja Salimot Olaitan and Mrs. Sariyu Abeki Akibu, the family traced the history of the community and its attachment to Awanibaku, asking the statesman to ensure that Owu heritage is protected.
