Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

A contestant for Aree of Iree stool in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Prince Ali Afolabi has alleged that the fresh selection process of monarch for the community is fraudulent and an aberration.

It would be recalled that the State Government had dethroned Owa of Igbajo, Aree of Iree and Akirun of Ikirun on the ground that their selection and appointment did not follow due process, ordering fresh selection processes with caveat in Iree that kingmakers withdraw their suit against the initial process before embarking on fresh one.

But Afolabi in a letter dated February 26, 2024 and addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the State, Dosu Babatunde through his lawyer, Folorunso Apantaku, stated that the ongoing industrial action by judiciary workers did not allow for withdrawal of any suit in line with the dictates of the government before the local government embarked on fresh selection process.

Afolabi while declaring that the fresh selection process conducted on February 22, 2024 by the Boripe North Local Government Area of the state which purportedly produced Prince Muritala Ibrahim Oyelakin as the Oba-elect violated the rule of law and was not in line with the chieftaincy laws of Osun State procedure, he noted that two kingmakers voted in the election that was supposed to have six kingmakers.

He called on the State Government to cancel the fraudulent selection exercise on the ground that there is an injunction restraining the local government, the kingmakers of Iree town from taking any steps in the fresh selection process of Aree of Iree pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice, by an Order made by the Federal High Court, Osogbo on the 21st Day of February, 2024, which was duly served on the parties before the council hastingly conducted the election.

The letter obtained by Vanguard reads partly, “Our Client (Afolabi) had informed us that the selection procedure in electing the Aree of Iree stool is nothing but a complete fraud.

“The particulars of the fraud are stated below: There are six king makers in Iree town to select the Oba; Two king makers are dead; Only four were alive till date; The stool vacancy were not fill in line with local government chieftaincy law of Osun state, and the tradition of the town; The four king makers who participated in the selection process are Osolo, Aogun, Inurin, and Jagun Only. The Osolo vote was casted by one Taye who is not the Osolo; Inurin vote was casted by one female who is not a king maker, or the Inurin in Person.

“Our Client further informed us, that there is an Injunction restraining the local government, the king makers of Iree town from taking any steps in the selection process of Aree of Iree pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice, by an Order made by the Federal High Court, Osogbo on the 21st Day of February, 2024, duly served on the parties.

“We hasting to say the election made on the 22 of February 2024, to elect the Aree of Iree is done in violation of the rule of law. We equally submit that assuming but not conceding that the election is legal and lawful, the quorum of members to exercise the election process is nothing but six in number, the local government has failed its statutory duties to appoint warrant chiefs to replace the vacant king makers position”.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, did not pick telephonr calls. He was yet to respond to text message sent to him. Also, efforts to reach the LGA chairman, Jamiu Adedokun could not be reached as at press time.