AFTER four years, Iree community in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State has elected a 49-year-old oil and gas magnate, Prince Ademola Oluponle as the 16th monarch of the town.
Iree community which hosts Osun State Polytechnic lost its king, Oba Jimon Olayonu on July 8th 2018, thereby rendering the stool vacant.
Prince Ademola, born on November 24, 1973 from Oyekun Ruling House in Iree was elected by Warrant Chiefs at the selection process supervised by the officials of the Boripe North Local Council Development Authority ( LCDA) Headquarters, Iree, Friday.
He was selected ahead of 11 other aspirants who had indicated interest from three ruling houses, Oyekun, Olubonku and Oyegbite ruling houses. Prince Oladepo Moses Akande got 1 vote, Prince Muritala Ibraheem Oyelakin 1 vote while Prince Raphael Oluponle Ademola secured 3 votes to emerge as Aaree elect. One out of the six warrant chiefs was absent from the process.
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Confirming the development, the Chairman of Boripe North LCDA, Bamigbegbin Oladejo said Prince Oluponle emerged during the process okayed by the State Government which was held at the council following the court order by Justice Jide Falola that allowed the continuation of the process.
The Aaree elect has Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy from Osun State Polytechnic Iree, and is currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arise and Shine Global Energy Nigeria Limited, an oil and gas company in Lagos State.
Meanwhile, the Aare-in-Council led by Aogun of Iree, Chief Saliu Atoyebi speaking with newsmen in Osogbo capital of Osun, faulted the selection process, saying, “Government has no right to appoint warrant chiefs when we are alive. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bayo Adeleke used his office to impose a candidate of his choice by the appointment.”