Regent threatens to quit if Govt fails to intervene
The long delay in the selection of a new monarch is creating high tension in Irese Community, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, thus forcing the indigenes of the town to appeal to the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to swiftly intervene in order to restore peace.
Leaders of the Community are urging the Governor to prevail on the Local Government Chairman, Engr Alex Akinyemi, to approve the installation of a new king for the town.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Secretary of the community, Daniel Oni, stated that all the kingmakers have unanimously agreed to install a new King, but are being held back by Government inaction.
According to him: “We went to the Local Government to formally inform the management that we the kingmakers were ready to install a new King for the town. The officials in charge of the chieftaincy matters in LGA asked us to observe a 14-day notice. When the date lapsed, we headed to the council; again it was postponed without any excuse.
“We then insisted on the installation, they give us another date. On the very date, on our arrival to the council, it was postponed, When we asked for the reason, we were told that the rationale was not unconnected with logistics. Since then, no tangible result from the council officials”, Oni said.
In his own comment, the Odofin of Irese land, Chief Tunde Omoseni, frowned at the delay-tactics development.
Omoseni said: “the Department of Chieftaincy Matters should be fair to the feelings of our people. They cannot continue to toy with our traditional heritage. What logistics is causing the delay all these days?”
Adding that:
“As we are talking with you now, we are just coming from the council, they postponed it citing logistics issues, while telling us to be patient that the local government chairman is not around. The staff we met said the local government never gave them permission”.
Other kingmakers, the Osemawe of Irese land, Chief Mrs. Morenike Oladimeji and Alhaji Raji Omoyemi advised the Council boss to speed up the selection process.
The Oduwo of Irese land, and the Secretary of Chieftaincy Committee, Chief Alex Igbekele said all traditional prerequisites have been met but the Council is insisting that emerging security report is not favorable.
“We want peace in our town”, the Oduwo said.
Meanwhile, the Regent of the town has said that she may leave the throne if the government fails to quickly select a new monarch for the town.
“When I was picked to be the Regent of the town, I never knew that my stay would be elongated”.
She however called on all stakeholders to do the needful without further delay.
When contacted Engr Alex said security report was not favorable to carrying out the installation of the new king. “We want peace to return to the Community first.”
He added that his office has been inundated by petitions from some interest groups in the community.
“We are going through all the documents methodically to avoid costly mistakes,” explained the local authority Administrator.
