OLU OF ILARO: HOW AMOSUN UPTURNED KINGMAKERS' CHOICE

Facts emerged yesterday on how the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun overruled the decision of Ilaro kingmakers to pick the new Olu of Ilaro and the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Prince Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle.

The state government had, after meeting with the State Executive Council announced the new monarch.

According to the state government, it acted in accordance with Part II of the Chief's Law of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

Until the emergence of Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, three Obas had reigned from the Ashade Agunloye Ruling House of Ilaro, namely Oba Ashade Agunloye, Olugbenle and Olusoji Ajibade, (Ojikutojoye). The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muyiwa Oladipo, while briefing the press said the emergence of the new monarch followed due process of the law.But Daily Sun reliably gathered that the process was fraught with anomalies with members of the kingmakers and notable chiefs in the town accusing the government of tacitly demonstrating preference for one of the candidates.

The Chairman of the town's Regency Council, Chief Jas  Abiodun Oyekan had penultimate week announced Prince Adedeji Olugbenle, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), as the winner of the election conducted last month.

According to him, Prince Adedeji Olugbenle scored five votes to beat his younger brother and arch rival, Prince Kehinde, whom he said trailed with 4 votes, but who was on Monday announced the new Olu of Ilaro.

A source close to the Regency Council, who spoke with Daily Sun on condition of anonymity yesterday described as 'anti-tradition and culture,'' the action of the state government, which announced another name different from what the kingmakers had forwarded to it.

'For us as kingmakers, we have spoken through our votes and had made recommendations to the state government. But since the government has decided otherwise, there is nothing we can do than to say that posterity will judge us.''

Meanwhile, the state government had said it was not interested in any of the two major contestants for the exalted throne. Oladipo, who briefed the press after the State Executive Council meeting on Monday said:

'This government is not interested in who emerges as Olu of Ilaro, what we are after is justice, because this government too emerged through justice. Whosoever announces any name contrary to the one of today does that at his own risk.''