There is palpable fear in Igodan over the vacant stool of the Olu of Igodan Lisa, as Amotekun officers storm the community to install one of their leader, Chief Akinde Adeyemi in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state.
According to eye witnesses, the peaceful selection process of a new monarch for community of Igodan Lisa over the weekend was hijacked by officers of the Ondo State Amotekun in a bid to impose an Amotekun Coordinator, Chief Akinde Adeyemi as the Olu of Igodan Lisa.
According to the source who pleaded anonymity, “When the community leaders found out about the evil plan, they wrote a petition to every necessary organs of government to guide against breaking of law and order.”
“On Saturday, 20th August, 2022, the Amotekun Coordinator entered the community with four Amotekun vans and a Toyota Camry all loaded with armed officers shooting sporadically to scare away people.”
“Residents were able to record them and reported to Hon. Gbegudu Ololade who is the chairman of the House Committee on Security in Ondo State House of Assembly and also an indigene of Igodan Lisa.”
“His intervention led to withdrawal of some of the heavily armed Amotekun officers from the community. Yet, there were rumours of threats for violence from the Amotekun coordinator who declared himself as Olu of Igodan Lisa elect,” the source stressed.
Meanwhile, following the petition the community sent to the Ondo State Government, all Igodan Lisa community traditional stakeholders were invited to a meeting with the government team led by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Akin Sowore and other government functionaries.
The government affirmed that only a duly completed official process backed by the state chieftaincy law will produce the Olu of Igodan Lisa Kingdom. The Deputy Governor warn that anyone parading himself as such should desist from such an act.
According to Hon. Aiyedatiwa, ”Some persons have been parading themselves as Olofun of Irele in Irele Local Government and Olu of Igodan Lisa in Okitipupa Local Government without the approval of the State Executive Council.”
“The stools are vacant and until the State’s Chieftaincy Law is duly followed, such persons are not known to government . No Olofun in Irele. Also, no Olu of Igodan Lisa. Those parading themselves are only representing their families.”
Briefing journalists shortly after the weekly State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju disclosed that the Council equally resolved and regularised disputed stools in the state.
She, however, added that the issue of paramountcy is still pending and awaiting the amendment of the State’s Chieftaincy Law.
Mrs Olateju said:”Some persons have been parading themselves as Olofun of Irele in Irele Local Government and Olu of Igodanlisa in Okitipupa Local Government without the approval of the State Executive Council.
“The State Executive Council has decided that such persons be arrested and investigated for their infractions against the State Chieftaincy Law.
