The ruling houses in Iree, Boripe local government of Osun state have warned governor Ademola Adeleke not to disrupt the peace that has reigned in the community.
The community rejected the white paper that asked for a fresh selection process for the Aree of Iree Kingship saying they can not perform traditional rites on two kings.
The people of Iree also vowed not to accept any other person aside from Oba Raphael Oluponle, who has gone through the processes and performed all traditional rites.
The state government in a white paper suspended some monarchs and directed the Chiefs in Iree to withdraw their suit in court to allow commencement of the selection process afresh in line with due process.
The Secretary of the six ruling houses who were all represented, Gbenga Olatunji, at a press conference in Iree, Wednesday, described the white paper as a move to cause violence in the community, vowing that the action of the state government will be resisted.
“We are here today to express our total rejection of the pronouncement and call on well-meaning Nigerians especially our royal fathers in Yorubaland to prevail on the governor not to debase traditional institution.
“To further complicate the matter, the state government in flagrant disobedience to the ongoing court process before Justice Oluwasami Adeleke of the Osun State High Court released the so-called white paper which is an apparent contempt of court.
“For your information, parties have called witnesses, tendered evidence, and adopted written addresses and only awaiting the Judgement which was already fixed for December 14, 2023, but for the protracted JUSUN strike.
“We see the decision of Governor Adeleke as politically motivated, ill-conceived, and capable of destabilizing the peace of Iree. It is an unpopular decision meant to serve the interest of a very tiny set of people who have decided to feed fat on the Obaship matter,” the ruling houses said.
Also, Asalu of Iree, Taiwo Oguntobi, who explained that all rites had been performed before the installation of Oba Oluponle, insisted that another person can not be taken through the process while the monarch still lives.
“If the government decides to select another king today, we will not perform another ritual. This is because we can’t perform another ritual for another person so far the king is still alive,” Oguntobi said.
The Olaromoye ruling house was represented by Azeez Agboola, Olubounku represented by Alhaji Suliaman Olaniyan, Ojo Ayagaga represented by Muraina Olalounku, Oyekun represented by Pa Micheal Olatunji, Iyohanola represented by Alhaji Jimoh Lawal and Afolabi Kazeem stood in as youth leader of the ruling houses.
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