Orile-Imo Obaship Tussle: Residents Take Matter To Abuja, Seek President Tinubu, Senate’s Intervention Over Alleged Imposition Of Monarch
ABEOKUTA – Some concerned residents in Orile-Imo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for urgent intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun avert imminent breach of law and order over what they described as imposition of one Oluwambe Sogaolu as the new Olu of Orile-Imo, contrary to the outcome of the selection process conducted by the Kingmakers.
The concerned residents said the outcome of the selection process produced one Chief Mathew Alawode as a rightful occupier of the throne
They made the call in their letter dated 13th of August, 2024 written to President Tinubu through the Office of Chief of Staff to the President and acknowledged on the same day which was also copied to the offices of the Senate President, House of Representatives’ Speaker, Secretary to the Government of Federation, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police and Director General of State Security Services, said the youths and people of the community are restless and will appreciate prompt intervention before the situation degenerate to serious insecurity in the community.
The people expressed their displeasure over the situation in the letter which they blamed on the annulment of the results of selection process conducted twice by the Kingmakers on 19th of June, 2020 and most recently, 30th of April, 2024 which according to them produced the same person, Chief Mathew Alawode out of the five candidates who contested for the vacant stool.
Alawode was said to have scored six votes in the most recent selection process held in April, beating other four contestants including Chief Olakunle Olalekan Joseph who polled two votes as well as Chief Aroyewun Hakeem Abiodun and Chief (Dr ) Oluwadairo Adeleke Samuel who scored zero vote along with Sogaolu Oluwambe Mofolorunso who has been been presented the Staff of Office as the new monarch for the town.
The people strongly believed that the Sogaolu Oluwambe is enjoying the support of the paramount ruler of Egbaland Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo whom they accused of being responsible for the cancellation of the first selection process by the Kingmakers on the ground that it was not properly conducted and later showing preference for the same candidate on the 26th of April, 2024 before the conduct of the second selection process on 30th of April in which the same candidate scored zero vote.
They expressed disappointment that the same candidate who scored zero vote in the second selection process was presented to Governor Dapo Abiodun as the new Olu of Orile-Imo.
The residents in their letter claimed that Governor Dapo Abiodun was deceived by certain people in the state government to have presented the staff of the office to Sogaolu, who did not score any vote.
“The youths and people of the community are restless and will appreciate your prompt intervention as concerned are already threatening us with security agents.
“We shall remain law abiding, but the people mandate must be restored as we say ‘No To IMPOSITION’ and plead to restore the people of IMO’S TRADITIONAL COUNCIL MANDATE”. the letter concluded
The Oba-elect, Mathew Alawode had since approached the State High Court sitting in Abeokuta to seek legal redress after he discovered that there is hidden agenda by Alake whom he claimed had been served with court process alongside the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.
He accused Alake of disregarding the court process served on him and went ahead to recognize Sogaolu Oluwambe as a new monarch for Orile-Imo.
Meanwhile, traditionalists led by Oluwo-Ifa of Imo, Oloye Sunday Matiku expressed their disappointment that they were not carried along in the selection process of the traditional ruler which according to them, is against the custom and traditions of Yoruba land.
