Isolo Obaship Tussle: Kingmakers Reject Deji Of Akure Installed Chief

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Kingmakers of Isolo community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo state has rejected the decision of the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo over the installation of Prince Edward Kolawole Adewole as Osolo of Isolo.

In a petition written to the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, which was made available to newsmen in Akure, Isolo community said, the Deji had violated the government circular issued by the ministry of local government and Chieftaincy affairs, that stipulates that appointment of minor chiefs should be suspended in the state pending the release of Government White paper accordingly.

The Deji of Akure at the weekend, had installed Prince Edward Kolawole Adewole as the new Osolo of Isolo, an action that clearly contradicted the said state government circular with reference number CD/C43/5 vol.XXII/ 349 and dated 27th April, 2018.

In the petition signed by Isolo kingmakers namely, High Chief I.E Adetoyinbo, the Elemo of Isolo, High Chief Ebenezer Ogunjemilusi , Sao of Isolo, High Chief Hezekiah Babatunde , Olusunla of Isolo, Chief J .Adisa, Aruwajoye of Isolo, Chief A. Adeleke, Obaseye of Isolo and Chief Akosile Fagite, Agbaakin of Isolo, said the paramountcy of the Deji was still being challenged at the Supreme Court by the Osolo Chieftaincy.

The community however urged the state government to call Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi to order and in particular make him rescind the illegal appointment aside in the interest of peace, law and order.

They said the development will lay a bad precedent and it will amount to disrespect of the Supreme Court and also treat the extant circular of the state government on minor chiefs with disdain by the Deji of Akure.

In the petition to the state government, the kingmakers said, “We the undersigned, being the kingmakers of Isolo Chieftaincy, to ourselves , for ourselves and the people of the ancient Isolo kingdom in the Akure South Local Government, do hereby seek the intervention of your good office to call to order the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi in his meddling in the affairs of Isolo through illegal appointment of minor chiefs.

“The Ondo state Government and Deji of Akure are respondents in suit No.SC/267/2012 on the dispute between the Osolo of Isolo/Iralepo of Isinkan and the Deji of Akure on Cheiftancy matters in the two communities. Processes pending at the apex court were served and received by the Deji and the state government. We are also aware of extant circular of the State government on the suspension of the appointment of minor chiefs.

“Contrary to the processes pending in the highest court in the land and the extant circular/directive of the state government, the Deji of Akure issued a letter dated 4th June,2018 purportedly appointing one Prince Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole as ” High Chief Osolo of Isolo Akure land “, a title and position strange and non-exisitent in Osolo of Isolo Cheiftancy and the ancient Isolo community.

“By the letter dated 11th June, 2018 from the office of our solicitor, Wole Olanipekun and Co. addressed to and received by the Hon. Attorney General and also the Deji of Akure, Chairman Akure South Local Government and the Lisa of Akure, parties were admonished on the need to maintain status quo and desist from actions that may tamper with the subject matter of the suit.”