The Elerewe family of Igboroko Quarters, Owo Kingdom, has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to stop the monarch of Owo, Oba Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, from appointing any candidate not nominated by the family to fill the vacant stool of the Elerewe chieftaincy of Owo Kingdom.
It warned that any act to bypass the traditional succession custom of the Elerewe chieftaincy would amount to violating the Chiefs Law of the state as well as opening up room for crisis and disunity in Owo Kingdom.
The Elerewe family, in a petition signed by their counsel, Tope Temokun, said they have notified the Owo monarch that they have nominated Mr. Oluwaseyifunmi Babatunde Ilori, son of the former Elerewe, High Chief Elerewe Babatunde Ilori, who was shot dead in Owo on December 15, 2021.
In the petition, the family said there were moves by some persons to present Idowu Olakunnori to Oba Gbadegesin for approval into the stool of Elerewe.
The petition said the action was a calculated attempt to sow seed of disaffection, disharmony and discord within the family.
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According to the petition, “this has understandably caused concern within the Elerewe family and the broader community, who fear that such an appointment may disrupt the fabric of the customary practices and community harmony in the kingdom in relation to this stool.
“We must also respectfully inform Your Excellency sir, on behalf of our client, of an ongoing investigation re-opened by the Nigerian Police Force under the new Inspector-General of Police, into the gruesome murder of High Chief Elerewe Babatunde Ilori, tragically shot dead in broad daylight in which invitations have been sent by the police to many people, including those from Olakunori family.
“That Your Excellency suspends the ongoing process of appointment or approval of appointment by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, of any candidate different from the family nominated candidate for the Elerewe stool of Owo Kingdom, pending a thorough consultation with the family through the family head and principal members.”