Kingmakers seek Osun Govt. intervention in Obaship tussle

Kingmakers in Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun, have called on the state government to reconsider the process that produced Prince Raphael Ademola, as the new 16th Aree of Iree in the town.

One of the kingmakers in the town, the Aogun of Iree, Chief Saliu Atoyebi, who addressed newsmen on behalf of the Aree-in-Council in Osogbo, said they were not in support of the process that produced the new traditional ruler.

Atoyebi saccused the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Bayo Adeleke, of imposing his preferred candidate.

He said that the Aree-in-Council were not allowed to be part of the election of the new traditional ruler for the town.

“They have not elected any king in Iree as far as we are concerned.

“What they should do is bring the contestants who are princes to us (kingmakers) from the four ruling houses for us to consult the oracle.

“All these were not done. What they claimed they did was not the proper process by which the Aree of Iree would emerge,” he said.

When contacted, the Commissioner, Bayo Adeleke, said the kingmakers abdicated their duties.

Adeleke said three times meetings were called for kingmakers to elect a new traditional ruler and on those occasions, they refused to turn up.

He said that due process was followed in the appointment of the new traditional ruler for the town.

The state government had, on Nov. 4, appointed Prince Raphael Ademola, as the 16th Aree of Iree in Osun State after he was elected by Warrant Chiefs.

He succeeded Oba Jimoh Olayonu who passed on on July 8, 2018.