A notable candidate for the royal stool of Ilawo community located in Odeda local government area of Ogun State, Chief Olufemi Ogunsanya has faulted the controversial installation of Alex Macgregor as the traditional ruler of the community.
Penpushing reports that Ogunsanya in a press statement declared that without doubt the installation was impunity at its highest level, lawlessness in the most malicious forms and sacrilege without borders, and contempt of court
‘It is no longer news that the State Government recently installed the person of Alex McGregor as the Olu of Orile Ilawo. This is without doubt, impunity at its highest level, lawlessness in the most malicious forms and sacrilege without borders’, he said.
Who usurps the authority of the judiciary in a matter in court to install a candidate? Who sets aside norms, tradition and culture in matters that sit primarily on tradition?” These arrays of questions have a common response and that response reeks of an amorphous alloy of wickedness, anarchy and abomination!’, Ogunsanya added
Penpushing further reports that he pointed out that integrity remains a components in the Yoruba traditional society, stressing that it was unfortunate that the traditional process has now been turn into favour of highest bidder
‘Integrity in Kingship should be one of the most important components in the Yoruba Traditional Society. Unfortunately, the traditional process of selecting kings in some parts of Yorubaland is sometimes compromised with a preference for the highest bidder, as it seems in this particular case’.
‘Yorubas often make reference to a particular proverb that would seem quite apposite in this matter. “Eegun to ko ko jo, Iran lo ma wo gbeyin “. It is on this note that I appeal to our people to remain calm as the stolen mandate will be taken back by the special grace of God’.
‘Aside the obvious fact that the process of “selection” was completely faulty and not done according to the law, there is nowhere in Yorubaland that a non-indigene with no provable ties to any of the villages at the homestead (ancient or current) becomes an Oba over such’.
‘MaGregor claims he is from Ilawo but has never been able to say or confirm a single village where he is from or proof where he is from in the whole of Ilawo homestead. So, people of Ilawo, I implore you not to fret’.
‘We should not lose our sleep and no one should fight over this matter as there are court cases presently ongoing. Indeed, I have the utmost assurance that the said government decision which approved the installation of McGregor in Elegunmefa was NOT in accordance with the rules of law and therefore will be rescinded in due time’.
‘It is however discombobulating to say the least, that in light of the cases in court without resolution, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sina Ogungbade would issue a letter, urging the government to go ahead with the installation of MaGregor as the new monarch’.
‘This is very strange and honestly, those in authority should deal fairly, justly, equitably with the people knowing that all mortals would render account of their stewardship to God at the end of their journey on earth’.
‘The endless protest across Orile Ilawo, particularly in Alagbagba Community and the surrounding sixty-six villages comprising youths, women, hunters and community leaders, in their hundreds, since the charade exemplified in the installation of McGregor is a testament that the will of the people to be governed has been thwarted. The everyday people have generally identified that the installed entity is the wrong candidate’
‘The chants of the residents of Alagbagba has been resounding, their placards have also been legible in its reflection. Mr Governor, Do Not Let Ogun State Attorney or Commissioner spoil the good name you have earned over the years. The illegality of the installation of the McGregor is clearly unacceptable to the generality of the Ilawo clan’.
‘It will be noted that the Ilawo traditional council of chiefs, headed by the Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Samson Dosunmu and Balogun of Ilawo, Abraham Soyoye who doubles as Akogun of Egbaland with, the Jaguna of Ilawo had written the government on several occasions vehemently disagreeing with the process with substantial reasons’.
The trio had also made several announcements both on the radio and in several media prints to dissociate themselves from the brewing anomaly which ended in the catastrophic imposition of a non-indigene as the Oba of Orile Ilawo’.
‘In another vein, the build-up to the ascension to such an elevated stool entrenched in tradition, certain key elements cannot be pushed aside. The preliminary screening for those to be enthroned as an Oba in Yoruba land requires some prerequisites, certain processes and vetting before recommendation to the government’.
‘In Yoruba land, it is unheard of that a king was enthroned behind the Oluwo, Balogun, Jaguna, Apena, Aro and Lukotun of the township. The royal prerogatives of wearing the crown do not come so cheap. There are processes- restrictions, seclusions, and transformation between the period of selection and coronation let alone installation – all these important modalities were jettisoned in this case.
‘Justice, obviously is being tested daily in Nigeria as greed and covetousness have assumed a new dimension. I hereby call on Governor Dapo Abiodun and well-meaning Egba Chiefs to allow the court to determine the current suits over the Obaship tussle and not continuously disrupt the peace of the community.
‘We believe in the wisdom, credibility, tact and all other positive values which the wig symbolizes. We totally believe the courts will do justice to the matter irrespective of whose ox is gored.’,Ogunsanya stated
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