Residents Kick Against Alleged Imposition Of Alake Over Orile-Imo Obaship Stool
ABEOKUTA – Indigenes of Orile Imo in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state on Monday protested against the alleged interference of Alake of Egbaland on the process to chose the right candidate for the vacant stool of Orile-Imo throne.
The protesters, armed with various placards with unprintable inscriptions stormed the Oke-Mosan office of the at state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun demanding that the Alake of Egbaland stop imposing his preferred candidate on them.
Calling on the government to recognize Chief Mathew Alawode Ayedun, who was elected King in April 2024.
Speaking, with journalists, the Baale of Semore Agbedi, Chief Mabinuola Ilesanmi expressed displeasure over the involvement of Alake on the throne of Orile Imo, stating that he should allow people of Orile Imo to choose their King.
He disclosed that six years ago, there was an election held for the position of the throne, and Chief Alawode was elected which was canceled, adding that a government directive was given again to hold an election in April 2024 and the election also produced Alawode the King.
“About six years ago, we held an election, and Chief Alawode was elected but the election was canceled, we held another on April 30th on the directive of the government, which also produced Chief Alawode Ayedun as the winner.
“Information leaked that Alake and the Paramount ruler of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has a preferred candidate and he wanted to impose him on Orile Imo people, in the person of Chief Sogaolu on us, if we fold our arms like this way, it can lead to another thing, that is why we have to speak up.
“The purpose of protest is for the government to come in, to intervene and come to our aid, because we are the ones living there, Alake lives in Abeokuta, and although we are still under his authority, what we want is our man, the one who has been elected chief Mathew Alawode Ayedun elected King”.
While speaking to the protesters, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Ogun State government, Mr. Toyin Taiwo assured the protesters of quick intervention.
He recalled that he was the one who signed the letter to conduct an election of the throne on April 30, 2024, which was done accordingly.
Taiwo posited that Gov. Abiodun’s administration would not put their hands on anything unlawful, adding they should be rest assured that to get a good response soon.
