Two ruling houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, and the kingmakers in the town have given Governor Ademola Adeleke one week to declare the stool of Apetu of Ipetumodu vacant and initiate the process for appointing a new monarch.
The representatives of the ruling houses, Aribile and Fagbemokun, on Thursday, jointly addressed a press conference in Ipetumodu, accusing the state government of deliberately slowing down the process of appointing a new monarch after the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede in the United States of America for fraud.
It would be recalled that Oba Oloyede, 62, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced to 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko
He was convicted of leading a conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 emergency loan programmes designed to assist struggling small businesses.
Reading the text of the press conference on behalf of the ruling houses, Prince Dele Oyebade said even after the princes had procured the CTC of the judgment and submitted it, the Osun State Government still refused to declare the stool vacant.
He said the governor was not properly briefed on the issues relating to Apetumodu stool by the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency in the House of Assembly, ‘Yode Oyewusi, adding that “All actions capable of obstructing or delaying justice in this matter must cease immediately.
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“The continued delay in declaring the stool vacant has brought disgrace and embarrassment to the throne and the entire ruling houses. This must be urgently addressed to restore dignity and honour.
“With electoral activities approaching, it is imperative that this matter is resolved promptly to maintain stability and prevent unnecessary tension.”
Giving a timeline to the demand of the community, Prince Olaboye Ayoola said the town had been bedevilled with different challenges over the current vacuum created by the incarceration of Oba Oloyede.
He further said, “Today is Thursday, we are giving the state government seven days to act on our request and declare the stool of Apetumodu vacant.
“We may not have power, but we are aware of our rights to choose between options. We appreciate the governor, and we pledge our commitment to him.
“But our town is facing serious challenges because of the situation around the stool of Apetumodu. The incarcerated monarch can’t return after his jail term, and it is most unpatriotic to leave a town such as this without a monarch for so long.
“Communities around us are encroaching on our ancestral land. Residents are experiencing all manner of misfortune due to the absence of Apetu. We can’t perform necessary rites, yet the governor will still not act.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ipetumodu chiefs, the Aresa of Ipetumodu, Chief Lawrence Odewale, who said the stool should be immediately declared vacant, implored the governor to also appoint warrant chiefs who will join the two remaining kingmakers who will work on the emergence of a new monarch.
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