By Leke Adeseri, Regional Editor, South- West
The absence of the politicians is attributable to the struggle for governorship which has divided the entire Yewa into two camps.

While some are in support of former Military Governor of Oyo State, Gen. Adetunji Olurin who is said to be the candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, others are in support of former Managing Director of the Gateway Holdings; Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka believed to be the candidate of Governor Olugbenga Daniel.

Olurin is from Ilaro while Isiaka is from Imeko. People in government who are, therefore, said to be in support of Isiaka being in the same government with Governor Daniel were said to have stayed away in protest against the support for Olurin by people of the ancient town and that of the Yewa Elders Consultative Forum.”

Adele Olu Ilaro, Chief Jas Kolawole Oyekan, flanked by Chief Funso Olurin and Chief Jacob Akindele at Oronna Day celebration

ABEOKUTA— POLITICAL intrigues between supporters of Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd), Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, contenders for the governorship seat in Ogun State and a squabble about who becomes the next traditional ruler within Ilaro Ruling House almost ruined the 16th Oronna Day celebration and fund raising for the completion of the N50 million Oronna Civic Centre Project, weekend, in Ilaro, headquarters of the former Egbado Division of Ogun State.

It was characterized by very poor turnout with most of the seats empty. Only one indigene of the town in government was at the celebration.

The Oronna Day had always been an annual event celebrated with funfare, and drawing people of Yewa extraction. Even those not from Ilaro had always been drawn to the Division Headquarters and base of the Paramount Ruler of Yewa land, the Olu of Ilaro.

The celebration is aimed at fostering unity among indigenes and other residents and neighbouring settlements and to propagate activities that would add positive values to the socio-economic activities of the town.

But Saturday’s event was almost a dismal failure as virtually all important personalities invited stayed away from the usually colourful ceremony. Only the Consultant to Governor Olugbenga Daniel on Roads Development, Chief Jacob Akindele, who represented the Governor among the political office holders was present at the ceremony.

Governor Daniel, his Deputy, Alhaja Salmot Badru, commissioners and special advisers all billed to attend were not in attendance.

The ceremony billed to start at 11.am did not take off until 2.00 p.m. Even then the array of politicians jostling for political offices, especially those gunning for the governorship of the State were conspicuously absent.

The absence of the politicians was attributed to the struggle for governorship which has pitched the entire Yewa into two camps. While some are in support of former Military Governor of Oyo State, Gen. Adetunji Olurin who is said to be the candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, others are in support of former Managing Director of the Gateway Holdings; Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka believed to be the candidate of Governor Olugbenga Daniel. Olurin is from Ilaro while Isiaka is from Imeko.

People in government who were said to be in support of Isiaka being in the same government with Governor Daniel were said to have stayed away in protest of the support for Olurin by people of the ancient town and that of the Yewa Elders Consultative Forum. To compound the political problem, members of the Ruling House to produce the next Olu of Ilaro; the Agunloye Ruling House, are at loggerheads leading to court actions which had stalled the appointment of a new king.

It was an apparently peeved Adele Olu, the Regent of Ilaro; Chief JAS Kolawole Oyekan, who in his remarks after reading the text of his address  lamented the empty chairs at the event said: “Look at the empty seats; Ilaro indigenes in Government are even absent, all because of politics. We better have a rethink about how we go about these things.”

Earlier in his speech, the Regent had said: “The era of political scheming is around the corner again, everyone is jostling for one position or the other on different platform, candidates are seeking support and votes. We have to actively and honestly participate in the forthcoming election to elect our desired choice and candidate to govern us come 2011. We believe in everyone’s ability to perform but, only one candidate will get the position. Therefore, as traditional leader and father, I want to appeal to you all to play by the rules and let the Almighty God choose who to govern our state come 2011.

“On our traditional institution, a lot had been said positively and negatively concerning the selection and installation of a new Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland after the demise of the last Olu two years ago.

All efforts to resolve the internal family wrangling within the Agunloye ruling house has remained unresolved. A pending court case has stalled all processes initiated by both the Regency in council and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

“I made this known to you all last year during the 15th Oronna day celebration that whenever the family decides to sheath their sword, the king makers are ready to do justice accordingly by selecting and installing the new Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland without any delay.

“Already, I am being given unprintable names and even accused of so many wrong doings concerning the selection and installation of new Oba as if I took the case to court to stall all processes. The kingmakers are ready to do their statutory duties as soon as a candidate or candidates are presented to us. My people you know the true position of Obaship in Ilaro, speak out and stop being mischievous by keeping silent and peddling unfounded rumors.”

Governor Daniel in the speech read by Consultant on Road Development, Chief Jacob Akindele listed some of the things that the administration had done in the area and asked the people of Ilaro to “count their blessings one by one.”

He noted that even with the stadium built in Ilaro, the whole world has been able to see the town on satellite when football matches played there are shown to the world.

No to acting paramount ruler

He said that three years ago, Governor Daniel had emphasized that the issue Paramount Ruler was an Ilaro thing and that it was an affirmation that the headquarters of Yewa remain Ilaro and that it has silenced all aspirations. Government, he said, “rejects totally any acting paramount ruler.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Oronna Day Planning Committee, Otunba Wasiu Taiwo called on all sons and daughters of Ilaro to ensure that the spirit of unity prevailed in all that they do saying “it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that the town can witness meaningful development which we all yearn for.

“While we thank God for the development we have witnessed in the past by the presence of commercial banks, building of more schools, hotels and petrol stations to mention a few, we believe that the cooperation of all and sundry, Ilaro can still witness better developments.

I pray that Allah give us the courage to contribute our quota. I also pray that our desire to see Ilaro grow into a model city shall be realized in our lifetime.”

The Local Government Chairman, Dr. Muhammed Adekunle Adewunmi, spoke about his administration’s collaboration with the State Road Management Agency, OGROMA, in construction the 22.5 kilometre Sabo/Owode Road.