Yesterday, a 49-year-old Prince Raphael Ademola was elected as the 16th Aree of Iree in Boripe North Local Government area of Osun State. He was elected by Warrant Chiefs
Recall, the kingmakers, who by virtue of Yoruba culture, empowered to elect a new king, have not been showing up. Though, I’m aware the kingmakers had written to the government stating that their security is not guaranteed, that the incumbent Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs in the State, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Banik), has threatened that he was going to force the kingmakers to do his bidding.
One of the kingmakers in the town, the Aogun of Iree, Chief Saliu Atoyebi, who addressed journalists on behalf of the Aree-in-Council, further said, “They have not elected any king in Iree as far as we are concerned. What they should do is bring the contestants who are princes to us (kingmakers) from the four ruling houses… for us to consult the oracle.
“All these were not done. What they claimed they did today was not the proper process by which the Aree of Iree would emerge. On 24th of October 2022, the government brought a notice to us indicating that they wanted to appoint Iyalode as a warrant chief as a result of the death of one of the kingmakers, which we rejected vehemently because a woman cannot be part of the kingmakers.
“Afterwards, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, summoned a meeting at the palace where he threatened all of us and promised to return on October 28th to force us to do his bidding. We recorded his threatening us, hence we have to go into hiding.”
Reacting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Banik) said, “What’s my bidding? Did I discuss or hold any meeting with any king maker? I was informed by the Local Govt authority that the Afobajes has refused to vote three times now in an attempt to frustrate the process. Mentioning my name is just a mere blackmail.”
Now that the State Government has invoked one of its constitutional powers by electing a new king for the town through warrant chiefs and the Kingmakers are saying they’ve not elected any King, whose authority remains valid?
Is that how kings are selected? Who will now install him as oba?
Who will take him through the rites?
Is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, who incidentally a Prince from Iree, not making mockery the throne of his forefathers?
Traditionally, what is likely to be the consequence if the State Government should go ahead with the installation of the new monarch?
‘Seyi Adeniyi
Socio-Political Commentator and Publisher.
Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Voice Air Media.
