Prominent sons and daughters of Akufo town in Ido local government area of Oyo State under ‘Akufo Descendants Group’ have affirmed that Chief Abideen Olajide, otherwise known as ‘Ejiogbe’ Alakufo of Akufo.
The group said Olubadan of Ibadanland, who is the consenting and prescribing authority on the appointment of Baales in Ibadan has also affirmed Ejiogbe as the authentic and legally recognised Alakufo of Akufo.
A statement by family head of Akufo on behalf of the group, Chief Muibi Ajayi-Alakufo said: “On December 18, 2023, the then Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun in a letter personally signed by him and directed to Abideen Olajide Ejiogbe affirmed his appointment.
“The letter stated that “I, Alayeluwa Oba Dr. (Sen.) Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (Alli Okunmade II, Olubadan of Ibadanland, the consenting and prescribed authority of Ibadanland, do hereby give my consent to the appointment of Alh. Olajide Abideen Abimbola as Alakufo of Akufo, Ido Local Government area, Ibadanland with effect from Monday 18th December, 2023 in accordance with section 22(2) of the Chief’s Law Cap. 28 of Oyo State 2000.”
Ajayi-Alakufo said the Olubadan in an earlier letter by the Secretary of the Olubadan Advisory Council, K. Liasu and dated December 15, 2023 titled appointment as Baale Akufo Township in Ido Local Government requested Abideen Olajide, and indeed entire members of the family males and females who were signatories to his appointment to appear before him, which they all did amidst funfair, pomp and pageantry.
He said a report by one Taoreed Ololade Adefisoye that he was Alakufo and that Baale Abideen Olajide Ejiogbe should stop parading himself as Alakufo was a sad one with the intent to distort history and cause crisis and fans ember of disunity in Akufoland.
“In our Akufo town, Taoreed Ololade Adefisoye bandying a letter from the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that he was recognized as Baale Akufo, is being mischievous because it is a known fact that Olubadan remains the prescribing and consenting authority for the appointment of Baales in Ibadanland.
“We had several meetings at Ido Traditional Council led by High Chief Isioye and at Bodija residence of Baba Isioye and indeed at the Palace of Oluabadan on three different occasions and the Olubadan Committee and the Olubadan Advistoy Council after listening to both camps (Ejiogbe and Ololade) also went through the historical documents of Akufoland and affirmed Abideen Olajide Ejiogbe as the rightful heir to the throne of Alakufo.
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“And the Olubadan via two separate letters quoted above subsequently appointed Abideen Olajide Ejiogbe as the Baale of Akufo amidst celebration galore which was devoid of any crisis or violence.
“We the sons and daughters of Akufo understand that two high chiefs in the Olubadan Advisory Council are the backers of Ololade against our chequered history which made two ruling houses (Ayinla and Ogunbunmi), the heirs to the throne on rotational basis.
“Unfortunately, these high chiefs saw the truths when we came before them for meetings prior to the appointment and coronation of Abideen Olajide in December 2023 but they are still trying to rewrite the history of Akufo for reasons best known to them.”