The leaders of 52 communities making up Ogunmakin town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Thursday, declared that they remain the competent factors on who become next traditional ruler of the town after the demise of Oba James Sodiya in 2023.
The communities led by Chief Olutayo Pius Adewale made this known during a press conference held at the Penpushing Media Conference Hall of the organization’s headquarters located at Leme axis of Moshood Abiola way, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The village heads alleged that Ikereku traditional council was attempting to impose a non-indigene, identified as, Ramoni Busari popularly called ‘Jawe’ said to be Ibadan indigene as the next royal father of the border community situated between Oyo and Ogun states boundary
The leaders of the 52 communities explained that, as part of their traditional responsibilities they have identified three candidates from Ladijo, Adeniyi and Ogunmakin villages.
They disclosed that these contestants include Seye Olaogun from Ladijo village, Sunday Akinwande from Adeniyi village and Prince Saheed Ogunmakin from Ogunmakin community who will be screened at the appropriate time.
Adewale added that any of the candidates found most qualified would be presented to the traditional ruler of Obafemi, who oversees the jurisdiction, and would subsequently present the candidate to the Egba traditional council
The Regent of Ogunmakin Chief Oke Oladipupo in his own contributions appealed to the Egba traditional Council and Ogun State Government not to fold their arms, to witness losing the community to Ibadanland, as in the case of Bakatari
Oladipupo equally emphasized and alleged that some kingmakers are planning to install a foreigner as the next Olu Ogunmakin, arguing that such move was absurd to tradition and customs
The regent explained that the 52 villages that formed Ilupeju-Oja-Egbejoda-Ogunmakin should be responsible for the selection of the new Olu Ogunmakin not imposition by the Ikereku traditional council.
He emphasized that, Ogunmakin community was at no time under Ibadan or Oyo Traditional Council, alleging and recalling that the alleged impostor, Busari came around in 2010 during the selection process of late Oba Sodiya but was disqualified following discovery that he was not an indigene.
The villagers later took their grievances to the door step of Governor Dapo Abiodun at Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta in a peaceful manner with various placards of complaints, and they were later addressed by Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy, who enjoined them to equally presented their displeasure to Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo
