Obaship tussle: Alake urges Ibafo residents to maintain peace, order
To put paid to wrangling going on in Ibafo as regards the installation of a new monarch, after the demise of their king, the Alake of Egba land has called for peace and orderliness in the community.
Amidst protest taken to his palace, recently, by people from Ibafo community, in Obafemi Owode Local Government of Ogun State, the monarch said that he was yet to name anybody as the crown in the community, and that nobody should claim that post yet to avoid unnecessary chaos in the community.
“We learnt that upon the death of the former king, Oba Jimoh Ogunjimi, the royal family in Ibafo presented a new candidate, in person of Solomon Adisa Ajileja to the Alake of Egba land, who is the paramount ruler, for his approval and recommendation to the Ogun State Government”, a leader in the community was quoted as saying.
An indigene, Alfa Taoheed Sodounke, who led over 200 people from Ibafo community to the Alake’s palace told the Alake and his chiefs that: “We are the indigenes of Ibafo. When our king, Oba Jimoh Ogunjimi died, the community presented Solomon Adisa Ajileja to our royal father, the Alake of Egba land, our paramount ruler. But, while we were waiting for his approval and that of Ogun State Government, one Alaaji Kasimawo Alayande, a transport union leader, who has no right at all to the throne started parading himself as the new king approved by the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. There was a big party organised by him to celebrate this new status that he claimed he had achieved. This didn’t go well with our people, and to avoid any problem in the community, we have decided to present our case here today for clarification by our royal father.”
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo gave kudos to the people for maintaining peace and order. He said, “Some people did suggest that we should have two kings in Ibafo because of its size, but I declined because Ibafo is just one and no matter how big the place is only one king must exist. What I want to tell you is, if it is Solomon Adisa Ajileja you want as your king, I will advise you pray fervently for him to ascend the throne. It is only God that makes one king. Pray for him and he shall be installed once it is in his destiny. What I want is peace in that community. I have not named anybody as king and nobody should cause chaos in that community.
We did speak with Kashimaawo Alayande. He said that he had nothing to say as regards the allegation levelled against him. He said that he was willing to maintain the status quo as directed by Alake of Egba land.
