Aree Stool: Intrigues, Conspiracies As Stakeholders Accuse Govt. Of Frustrating Selection Process

 

Ismaeel Uthman, Kazeem Badmus

THERE is an ongoing conspiracy to continue frustrating the selection and appointment of a new Aree of Iree, the headquarters of Boripe North Local Council Development Area in the State of Osun, stakeholders have alleged. 

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that some government officials and princes, who are not disposed to a judgment of a State High Court which directed kingmakers in Iree to commence process on the selection of a new Aree, are not ready to allow the community have a new traditional leader.

The government officials have not given their nod to the selection of a new Aree and have also paused the bureaucratic process for the kingmakers to start action on the stool. 

Aree stool became vacant when Oba Jimoh Olayoonu, Larooye II, joined his ancestors on July 8, 2018.

Oba Olayoonu hailed from Olaro ruling house.

Controversies and skimming had been trailing the selection of a new Aree, as about five ruling houses, except Olaro, were laying claim to the stool. 

It was learnt that Oyekunle, Oyetite, Iyaola, Ojo and Olubonku ruling houses had indicated interest in the vacant stool.

However, a prince from Iyiola ruling house, Alhaji Lasisi Ayinde Lawal, dragged the kingmakers and five other ruling houses to court.

Lawal contested that it was the turn of his ruling house, Iyaola, to produce the next Aree.

Iyaola ruling house was the third on the list of ruling houses contained in the Chieftaincy Declaration of Aree of Iree, 1957.

The ruling house was supposed to produce the new Aree after the demise of Oba Michael Omotosho of Oyetite ruling house who died in 2003. 

But the Iyaola ruling house was unable to produce Oba Omotosho’s successor. The two ruling houses that followed Iyaola in the succession line, Ojo and Olubonko, also failed to produce candidate for the stool.

It was gathered that there was serious misunderstanding between the third, forth and fifth ruling houses and were unable to settle for a candidate to succeed Oba Omotosho.

However, the sixth ruling house, Olaro, produced Prince Jimoh Olayoonu Olatoyan who later became the Aree in 2004. 

According to Lawal in the suit filed before Justice Jide Falola of a State High Court sitting in Osogbo, it was the turn of his ruling house, Iyaola, to produce the next Aree.

He argued that since Iyiola was unable to produce the Aree at its rightful time, it should be allowed to succeed Oba Olatoyan of the sixth ruling house. 

But Olubonku ruling house, which was the seventh defendant in the suit, argued that the rotation order of the Aree stool has been neglected in 2003 which paved way for the emergence of Oba Olatoyan. 

The ruling house said all the other ruling houses have produced Aree more than once except it, praying the court to declare it as the next house to produce new Aree.

In its response to the suit, Oyetite ruling house, which is the ninth defendant in the suit, also said the rotation order on the Aree stool has been neglected since 2003, praying the court to declare that all ruling houses were entitled to produce the next Aree. 

Oyetite also sought an order of the court to declare that whichever of the ruling houses that is able to produce the next Aree should automatically become number one on the rotation order while other ruling houses will follow in sequential order.

The 10th defendant, Oyekun ruling house which is the first on the list of ruling houses, said the rotation order on the stool has not been jettisoned, arguing that it is its turn to produce the next Aree being the next to Olaro, the sixth ruling house. 

Ruling on the matter on June 27, 2022, Justice  Falola invalidated the Aree of Iree Chieftaincy Declaration, 1957 which contains the succession order to the throne. 

The judge also declared Iyaola, Olubonku, Oyetite and Oyekun as the eligible ruling houses to produce candidate to fill the vacant stool. 

He consequently barred Ojo and Olaro ruling houses from participating in the selection process. 

Justice Falola held that whoever emerges as the new Aree or the Governor of the state should take necessary steps to compile, approve and register a new acceptable and workable Chieftains Declaration for Aree of Iree. 

Sequel to the judgement of the court, the kingmakers started the selection process for the appointment of a new Aree.

They have reportedly written the Iyaola, Olubonku, Oyetite and Oyekun ruling houses to nominate candidates for the vacant stool, in line with the court judgement.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the kingmakers, led by Chief Saliu Atoyebi, the Aogun of Iree, have written the Local Government and the State Government to notify them for the commencement of the selection process. 

The selection process, it was gathered was to start on Friday, September 23, 2022. 

However, none of the officials of the local and state governments showed up at the kingmakers’ meeting that Friday, according to a High Chief who prayed not to be named. 

The High Chief also told the medium that security operatives did not also honour the meeting as required. 

“The police and DSS officers were ready to attend the meeting but were told by a government official in our town to disregard the invitation”, said the chief. 

As of the time of filing this report, both the local government and state government, it was gathered, have not communicated the kingmakers, either to authorise them to forge ahead on the selection process or to hold on.

One of the kingmakers who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condition of anonymity yesterday said: “we (kingmakers) have met and initiated the selection process for new Aree as directed by the court. Some princes from eligible ruling houses have also bought interest form. 

“We wrote the local and state governments, police and DSS to the effect that the selection process will officially start on Friday, September 16, 2022. They are to have representative in all we are to do as regard the selection and appointment of new Aree in line with the law. 

“The governments, both local and state, acknowledged our letter, but none of their officials showed up at the meeting. Security officials who had wanted to come to the meeting were also recalled. 

“Help us to beg the government; we are due for a traditional ruler. The government is the one delaying us; we are ready for the selection process, but the local and state governments seem to have ulterior motive on this matter.”

However, a senior official at the Boripe North Local Council Development Aree who does not want his name in print, said the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has not given directive to the local government on the selection process.

He said: “We cannot do this thing by ourselves. The state – ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs has not given us directive on it, and we cannot do anything except the state directed us.” 

Some stakeholders in Iree directly accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Adeleke Adebayo, of frustrating the selection process because the ruling house where his preferred aspirant hails from has been barred from contesting the stool. 

We’re Following Due Process – Govt.

But when contacted, Adeleke said the government was following due process on the selection process. 

The commissioner  said there is a process to be followed in the selection of a new traditional ruler and Aree of Iree in particular. 

He advised the stakeholders in Iree to allow the ministry to follow all the necessary procedures needed on the selection process.

The commissioner said: “They should know there is a process to be followed. Let them allow the ministry to follow all the necessary procedures”.

However, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that about 10 princes from Oyetite, Oyekun and Olubonku ruling houses have indicated interest in the Aree stool.

It was learnt that only one aspirant came from Oyetite while about seven and three aspirants showed up in Oyekun and Olubonku respectively.