Residents Protest Planned Imposition Of Monarch On Osun Community

-As Olomu Of Omu Owode Denies Unleashing Violence On Residents

-Says I Remain The Olomu Of Omu

By Wumi Ajibogun, Osogbo

Residents of Coker Owode in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, on Wednesday kicked against plans by some politicians in the council area to impose a monarch on the community.

The stool of Onicoker of Coker became vacant due to the death of late Oba Emmanuel Fadare Coker, who joined his ancestors on January 3, 2023.

Protesting the alleged plans by the politicians and a traditional ruler in the area, residents of the town urged Governor Ademola Adeleke, who they described as a peace loving governor, to follow the due process in the selection of the new Onicoker of Coker.

The residents alleged that the Obokun local government chairman, Mr Olajire Francis has been working in connivance with Alase of Ilase, Oba Isiaka Adesina Ajarabiolu to impose certain candidate on them.

The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions such as; “We need Government intervention, Save us/no imposition”, “Local Government Obokun ti gba Abetele , Ara ilu nke gbanjari sijoba( Obokun local Government has collected bribe, we are calling for Government’s intervention), “Alaga Obokun Ogbeni Olajire Francis titako Ilana oba jije ni Coker , Aofe (Obokun local Government Chairman, Mr Olajire Francis has worked against the process of the selection of king) , we reject it” Coker to decide the next king not Ilase” among others.

One of the protesting residents, Mrs Suliyat Ademola, decried the alleged imposition of a new Onicoker, saying it was alien to the culture and tradition of the kingdom, advising politicians to stay away from their king-making process.

Mrs Ademola who urged the governor of the state to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the matter said they are staging a peaceful protest to register their grievances against the alleged imposition of a new king.

“We staged peaceful protest across the nooks and crannies of our community to register our grievances against the imposition of new monarch.

“We dont want a stranger to be our king. We want the person who has been living with us over the years. The person who has contributed immensely to the development of this town.” she said

Another protester, Muhammdul-Awal Mutiulah, revealed that their call for politicians to stay away from their affairs followed speculations of an attempt by some very powerful persons in the Local Government to impose a monarch on the town following the death of the last traditional ruler in January this year.

He said “we are dismayed that some persons are trying to impose a candidate who does not reside or have any property here, on us.

“The act is not only against the culture and traditions of the Coker Community, but also against the express provisions of the declaration which is an official record of the government of Osun State.”

Meanwhile, the Olomu of Omu Owode Ijesa, Oba Amos Operinmade Adejumo has denied sponsoring thugs to unleash violence on some people in the council area.

Olomu of Omu

Oba Adejumo who said he remains the traditional ruler of Omu Owode stated that since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, through due process, no traditional ruler in the area can ask him to step aside.

He was reacting to the letter of suspension written by Alase of Ilase Ijesa, Oba Isiaka Adesina Ajarabiolu and addressed to him to step aside as the Olomu of Omu for allegedly harassing some officials of Obokun Local Government Area and High Chief Elegbewa.

Olomu while reacting said he was not aware of any suspension saying that there was no record of violence in Coker community on the aforementioned date.

He added that Alase went to media to smear his reputation due to his popularity among the candidates who are contesting to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

He urged the authorities concerned to query where exactly the violence was recorded in the community, where there is perfect peace, saying on the day the Kabiesi is referring to, there was presence of DSS , Police and other security agents who can vindicate him.