Apetumodu Stool: We Followed Due Process, Say Kingmakers

…Debunk Alleged Imposition Of Prince Oloyede

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Head of kingmakers and Asalu of Ipetumodu, in Ife-North Local Government Area of Osun state, Chief Sunday Afolabi, on Sunday said the kingmakers followed due process in the selection of the new Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Prince Joseph Gbenga Oloyede

Chief Afolabi was reacting to the allegations leveled against him and two other kingmakers in the town by some princes who expressed dissatisfaction over the selection process of the new monarch.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital of Osun, on Sunday, Chief Asalu said contrary to the claimed by the disgruntled princes, led by Prince Taiwo Ayoola, the kingmakers took necessary steps to ensure that the process was devoid of flaws.

CityMirrorNews recalls that the Prince Taiwo Ayoola, who is a National Leader of Aribile ruling house , in company of representatives of other ruling houses had called on the state government to intervene and prevent the kingmakers from going ahead with the installation process to forestall full fledged violence.

According to him, rather than allowing age long tradition and norm of selecting a new monarch for the community to hold sway, the kingmakers opted for an unconventional method of selection.

But, the head of the kingmakers, who led two other kingmakers and members of Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU) to the press conference debunked the allegations, as he described Prince Ayoola and his supporters as blackmailers who resorted into vilification of their personalities having failed in their efforts to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the town.

According to him , the nomination of Prince Joseph Oloyede followed due process and without any manipulation whatsoever as alleged.

“We followed the tradition and age long process of selecting new king in the town. No monetary inducement as being claimed by those elements led by Prince Ayoola.

“Few days after the completion of burial rites of our late king, I was called upon by the local government as the Chief kingmakers to start embarking on the process. The next ruling house (Aribile lineage ) was contacted by the kingmakers through the Local Government to submit names of interested persons for the throne, in which 13 candidates expressed interests to contest for the vacant stool

“We were three in number then, following the death of one of the kingmakers, and we agreed to elevate Chief Kehinde Orosanya ( Lofidi) as warrant chief, and the fourth kingmaker.

“On July 26, 2018, out of the four kingmakers, three of us voted for Prince Joseph Oloyede while the other kingmaker voted for another candidate.

“We continued with the selection process after the injunction the Ayoola’s got in court was vacated”, he said.

Expressing displeasure over the allegations that the chairman of Ife-North Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Orosanya connived with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to impose the candidature of Oloyede, Chief Asalu said Ooni gave his consent because he knew there was no any subsisting injunction against the process .

He said Ooni acted in accordance with statutory provision that put him in the position to recommend a new king for the government as a statutory authority and not as a result of pressure from any quarter as claimed.

He also debunked the allegations that he and other two lawmakers who voted in favour of Prince Oloyede exploited candidates , saying monies paid for intention forms were voluntary.

In his reaction, the President of Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU) Dr Sunday Oyebowale said there was no any tension nor commotion in the town.

He however urged the aggrieved members of ruling house to take the popular decision with regards to the kingship selection in their stride without blemish.

He urged residents of the sleepy community to be peaceful and come together as one, saying there wouldn’t be development in the absence of peace.