Crisis lingers in Ondo community after monarch’s death

By Osagie Otabor, Akure

Crisis has lingered at Ipele in Owo Local Government of Ondo State over the selection of a monarch.

The last Olupele of Ipele, Oba Abel Alade, died in 2015 and the community has been enmeshed in leadership crisis.

Efforts to appoint kingmakers for the purpose of electing a new monarch have been stalled, following suits filed by interest groups.

Last week, some Ipele youths, under the auspices of Ipele Youth Progressive Movement, urged the state government to allow the determination of two suits before the court before the selection process of a new Olupele of Ipele.

The youth, in a statement by their President and Secretary, Bola Orisadare and Segun Osuntuyi, dissociated themselves from any planned protest if the vacant stool of Olupele was not filled within two months.

They implored Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to allow the law takes its course before the commencement of the selection process of a new monarch for Ipele.

“We are informed that one person has been sued at the High Court for illegally parading himself as a kingmaker and acting Olupele of Ipele.

“We beg our governor to discountenance the alarm of impending crisis on the matter and allow the court to determine the two suits before the selection process begins.”

An indigene, Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed, in a letter he addressed to Governor Akeredolu, alleged that three of the Ipele kingmakers were not entitled to be installed as kingmakers of their quarters.

He said: “Since the eligibility of the trio is already subjudice, they cannot legitimately take part in the process of selection of the next Olupele until the determination of the case, in tandem with plethora of judicial authorities.”