Community chiefs in Igbogila, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, have accused a state lawmaker, Adegoke Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso, of attempting to influence the selection of the town’s next monarch, a claim the legislator has strongly denied.
At a press conference held at the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, the chiefs alleged that Adeyanju was “precipitating crisis” in the community in his bid to install Daniel Opebiyi as the next Olu of Igbogila.
Led by Chief Semiu Bammeke and supported by Bashorun Atanda Ajibade and the Akogun of Igbogila, Chief Charles Olaotan, the elders further accused the lawmaker of conniving with relatives of the late monarch, Oba Ebenezer Olanloye, to remove five chiefs when the monarch was bedridden.
Bammeke said the traditional chiefs believed the suspension letters were not authorised by the late ruler and therefore sought forensic analysis, which he claimed confirmed the signatures were forged.
He said, “On the issue of the latest protest by some individuals, it is no more than the handiwork of Honourable Adegoke Adeyanju, fondly called Awoso. He is determined to set the whole town on fire.”
He added, “But for the wisdom of the chiefs and elders in the town, Awoso and his few hirelings would have burnt down the whole town. It is no more gainsaying that Awoso has weaponised his desperation with naked lies… against any person he believes is standing in his way to install the new Olu of Igbogila.”
The chiefs further accused the lawmaker of helping to install four new kingmakers to replace the suspended chiefs and sponsoring protests in the town to cause unrest.
They called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to intervene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
However, Adeyanju denied all allegations, insisting he has no preferred candidate and only wants a monarch installed quickly after more than three years without one.
He said, “The truth is that the suspended chiefs were duly removed by the late traditional ruler, Oba Ebenezer Olanloye, and the installation of those who replaced these chiefs was also done by the late Kabiyesi. The deputy governor even sent representatives during the installation.”
He further argued that forensic reports exist on both sides to support the authenticity of the suspension letters, saying, “If they are claiming to have a forensic report, the other party also has a forensic report…”
Adeyanju added, “I am an indigene of the town as well as one of the palace chiefs but not a kingmaker. So, I am not hell-bent on installing any candidate.”
He denied sponsoring protests, explaining, “The protest was by community members because they felt that the community had stayed for over three years without a traditional ruler and there is no end in sight to the stalemate.”
He urged the governor to convene a meeting of all parties and the Yewa Traditional Council so the matter could be resolved.
Residents recently staged a demonstration over the prolonged obaship dispute, lamenting stagnation in community development.
Carrying placards reading “Enough is Enough,” “We are tired of court cases,” “Give us a substantive king in Igbogila,” and “Gov. Abiodun come to our rescue,” protesters urged urgent government intervention.
One of them, Mrs Olusola Adebayo, said the crisis was slowing growth.
“We are not happy because the lack of leadership is hindering our community’s growth… Those suspended chiefs have been making our town suffer through the crisis,” she said.
“What we want is for Governor Dapo Abiodun to listen to the plight of the youth. We want a monarch in Igbogila so that our town can develop and grow significantly.”
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