Traditional rulers and Olus in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to call the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, to order.
The royal fathers accused Oba Aladelusi of installing a rival Olu to head the Ilado-Igbatoro community when the current one, Chief Kayode Ajomale, was still alive.
According to them, the Deji’s action has caused tension in the community.
A June 27 letter by their lawyer, Femi Emodamori, urged Governor Akeredolu to caution Oba Aladetoyinbo to avoid a breakdown of law and order. They said the installation of a rival Olu was a deliberate and deviant violation of government’s extant directive stopping the Deji from appointing and/or removing minor chiefs in Akure North pending the release of the White Paper on the recommendations of the Justice Ajama-led Panel of Enquiry on Chieftaincy Matters and Crises in the State.
The letter reads: “The Deji again defied the government directive by purportedly installing one Dayo Afelumo as the rival Olu of Ilado-Igbatoro Community in the same Akure North, though Chief Kayode Ajomale, the incumbent Olu, since 1987 (over 34 years) is still alive, hale and hearty.
“Chief Ajomale is also Chairman of the Registered Trustees of Association of Olus and Baales in Akure North, and a member of the Chieftaincy Committee of the Local Government.
“The Deji’s provocative and defiant action is already generating serious tension in Ilado Igbatoro. The youths have reportedly vowed to resist the unprecedented desecration of their custom and stool of their traditional headship.
“From all the developments chronicled, it is clear that our clients are peaceful and law-abiding citizens who believe in the rule of law. On the other hand, it is clear that the Deji continues to violate the government’s directive.
“Our clients hope the Deji of Akure and the relevant government agency or ministry responsible for enforcing the extant directive(s) on this sensitive matter will take full responsibility for any eventuality caused by their acts or omissions.”
But Oba Aladetoyinbo, speaking through the Odopetu of Akure, Senior High Chief Olufemi Bello, said Chief Ajelumo was removed from office based on series of petition from members of the community, alleging him of arbitrariness and high handedness.
He said: “This has no political colorations as it’s a purely traditional affair which borders on our cultural heritage and hegemony.
“From time immemorial, the entire Akure land has been under the hegemony of the Deji. By virtue of his said position, the Deji is the paramount ruler over the entire Akure land, as well as being the consenting authority over all minor chiefs, Olus and Baales under him.
“It is a known fact that the local government does not appoint and cannot appoint minor chiefs as such action remains the prerogative of the Deji as the recognised prescribed authority for such purpose.”