•Governor Akeredolu
Residents of Ojo town in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State have raised the alarm over move by those they termed ‘settlers’ to become king in the town by contesting the stool of Olojo of Ojo-Ajowa Akoko with the indigenes.
The residents, who protested in Akure, the state capital, said the ‘settlers’ were allowed to settle in locations round Aremu community, the seat of power of Ojo town, reports The Nation.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Baba Eto of Uro, Ojo -Ajowa, Chief Jacob Adegoke, accused the settlers of peddling lies to justify their claims for joint ownership of Ojo royal stool.
He alleged that the file containing authentic historical records of Ojo chieftaincy had been removed from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He said a chieftaincy declaration made in 1957 approved Awarinajo, Awarin Oji and Awarin Olofa as the recognised three ruling houses in the community.
Adegoke said a daughter of the late Oba Timothy Adewale was picked as the regent of the town in line with traditional practices, but that the settlers moved to present a male as regent of the town.
According to him, “why should people and the Ministry of Local Government rely on sentiments when facts and evidence are available? We are relying on facts and evidence and not sentiments. It has been in practice that a daughter of the late Oba is always a regent, but the opposition said they would not recognise her.
“When the last Olojo of Ojo departed to the great beyond, the three ruling houses met and selected his daughter as regent in line with our age long custom and tradition.
“The asylum seekers on our land are presenting a male regent outside the ruling houses and a certain people in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs are supporting this illegal move against our custom and tradition”.
Chief Adegoke appealed to the state government to follow previous declaration in picking a new Oba for the community.
