Olufon Stool: Ruling House Wants Adeleke To Probe “Kangaroo Process”

The Oluyeyin Ruling House of Ifon, Orolu Local Government of Osun State has reacted as the state Government stopped selection process for the emergence of a new Olufon of Ifon.

OSUN DEFENDER recalls that Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to put a stop to the process with immediate effect, noting that due process must be followed in the selection.

According to sources within the government, it was revealed that Adeleke was furious on how the process is being handled, saying he will not agree on anything that will not be acceptable to the people.

READ: Olufon Stool: Osun Govt Halts Selection Process

The sources said, “Mr Governor has directed both the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Special Adviser to make sure that they put a stop to the process. The Governor told them that whoever finds culpable of trying to sabotage the process will be thoroughly dealt with.

“The Governor said he is a man of the people and cannot do anything that will not be proper and fair to them. “On this issue, the process must be transparent, open and fair to all parties concerned.”

Reacting to the development via a statement by the Head of the Oluyeyin Ruling House, Prince Olatoye Oyedokun, appreciated the governor for stopping the selection.

He called on Governor Adeleke to probe individuals who may want to manipulate the process.

According to the statement, “It gladdens the heart of princes and princesses of Oluyeyin Ruling House of Ifon, Orolu Local Government of Osun State that Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has stopped the kangaroo selection process for the emergence of a new Olufon of Ifon.

“We appreciate Mr Governor for his proactive steps in averting crisis and for being a listening man in regards to rule of law.

“However, it baffles us that within Governor Adeleke’s cabinet, some individuals could attempt to brazenly manipulate Olufon Chieftaincy process and wanted to impose their candidate on the traditional town through 1988 Chieftaincy Declaration that has remained a subject of disputes in court of law.

“We are aware of fraudulent bargaining between some government officials and a nonexistence ruling house to withdraw a suit against the 1988 declaration in court, in a desperate bid to make a prince from such royal family the new Olufon.

“Besides, it is pertinent to bring to the attention of Governor Adeleke and those who want to manipulate the selection process in particular, the statement of Late Justice Fasansi Ogunshola (OFR) when delivering his judgement on a legal dispute on the controversial 1988 Chieftaincy Declaration: “1988 Declaration is being Disputed in court for the Third time, and on two occasions it has been STRUCK OUT. First in Suit Number, HOS/127/88 Where 1988 Declaration was Declared IMPROPER. Second, in suit Number HOS/22/2008, Pa.Sumonu Akinyooye & Others vs.Governor of Osun State & 10 others.”

“It was Struck out on the 7th day of July 2008 for failure to exhaust administrative procedure as stipulated in Section 20 (2) (b) of the chiefs Law, Caps 25 Law of Osun State 2002. The same blunder is also committed by the MORONFOLUS in suit Number HOS/111/2021. Whereby the MORONFOLUS rushed to court without prior notice to the State Government as stated in Osun State Chiefs Law.

“The government should also be aware of a pending case against the same 1988 chieftaincy declaration on Ifon stool. Olumoyero, Odunolu, Orisatoyinbo and Oluyeyin ruling houses are challenging the declaration in suit number HOS/111/2021. Only Moronfolu Ruling house is in support of the 1988 declaration.

“Even if Moronfolu Ruling House decides to withdraw from Olufon Chieftaincy Suit Number HOS\111\2021, all other ruling houses in that case are still having Counter Claims that court still needs to adjudicate on in other to restore normalcy in the total process.

“We insist that the controversial 1988 Chieftaincy Declaration is a weak, invalid, unjust and unfair declaration to be used for the selection of Olufon anytime.

“The 1979 Chieftaincy Declaration which was promulgated during the reign of Oba James Olagunju Akinyooye and recognised five ruling houses of Moronfolu, Olumoyero, Odunolu, Orisatoyinbo and Oluyeyin, is the authentic and acceptable law to be used for the selection and appointment of Olufon. Anything contrary to this will be rejected with strong action.

“Once again, we appreciate Governor Ademola Adeleke for stopping the fraudulent selection process, while we call on him to also probe the individuals who want to manipulate the process and bring his administration to disrepute.”

• Sodiq Lawal