By Damisi Ojo, Akure
Kingmakers in Afin, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State have accused the state Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rasheed Badmus of complicity in the lingering obaship tussle in the community.
Chairman of the Kingmakers, Chief Zaccheaus Adewumi, alleged that Badmus, an indigene of the town, had wanted his candidate to occupy the vacant stool.
He made the allegation on Saturday during a news conference in Ikare Akoko, stressing that the commissioner was using his influence in government to cause rift in the town.
Adewumi, who is the Chief Abore of the town, explained that the town has three ruling houses, saying no fewer than 10 contestants have shown interest in the kingship contest.
Read Also: Dead cows: Epidemic looms in Ondo community
“The Alafin stool became vacant when Oba Idris Oloruntegbe died in 2006 and all our efforts since 2017 to select another one according to tradition have been frustrated by Hon. Rasheed Badmus, the state Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
According to him, the commissioner mobilised some thugs to cause scatter the peaceful meeting.
He, therefore called on the state government to direct the local council to release the selection letter in its possession and warn Badmus to allow peace to reign and that whoever that was selected should be accepted.
Reacting to the allegations, Badmus said as an indigene of the town, he could not indulge in any process that would cause violence.
He accused the kingmakers of trying to select a king through the backdoor.
“ Police and DSS were present and Mustapha won because he is the man of the people and once a name is pronounced, there would not be any election again,” he said.
The commissioner cautioned the aggrieved indigenes against causing mayhem in the town, saying he stood with the elite of the community that ‘it is either a fresh selection through election or they abide by the last selection.’
Leave a Reply