Sons and daughters of Iloko-Ijesha town in Osun State are said be cross with the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presently. A very reliable source told Global Excellence magazine that the people are not be happy because they feel the governor is at the center of the crisis rocking the Owaloko kingship which has left the fate of the town’s oba-elect, Prince Akeem Benjamin Ogungbangbe, hanging in the balance since he was elected by the kingmakers two years ago.
In 2015, according to our source, Ogungbangbe emerged as the Owaloko-elect of Iloko-Ijesha in Oriade Local Government Area, Osun State, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Oladele Olashore. The source claimed that Ogungbangbe polled 11 of the 13 votes cast in the election allegedly monitored by the authorized kingmakers and warrant chiefs and was declared winner in line with the guidelines of Iloko-Ijesha kingship acts.
Shockingly, the source alleged, the Governor Aregbesola administration has refused to recognize Ogungbangbe as the duly elected oba of Iloko-Ijesha, for reasons those concerned have termed ‘political’.
Specifically, the former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, was named as the brain behind the alleged stalling of Ogungbangbe. The source alleged that one of Ogungbangbe’s competitors for the Owaloko stool, Prince Tunde Olashore, was Chief Akande’s candidate and he is the man Governor Aregbesola allegedly wanted for the job based on his political tie with Akande.
The source stated that, the four ruling houses in Iloko-Ijesha that partook in the race for the Owaloko stool had put forward their choice candidates in accordance with the dictates of Iloko Chieftaincy Declaration among whom seven were presented and their names submitted. After the election, claimed the source, Prince Akeem Benjamin Ogungbangbe of Ajagusi-Ekun Ruling House defeated his six rivals with 11 votes and emerged the oba-elect.
Meanwhile, following the alleged refusal of the Osun State government to install Ogungbangbe, the Iloko Ijesha traditional council had allegedly conferred on Ogungbangbe the title of ‘Saloro’, a title of authority solely meant for an oba-in-waiting according to the town’s custom, which, the source claimed, does not require the government’s approval.
Also the town’s citizens have reportedly protested to Governor Aregbesola to look into the matter.
-Ola Olugbenga
