Kingmakers of Alade-Idanre in Idanre Local Local Government Area of Ondo State are set to commence selection process of a new Aladeokun of Alade, after the demise of the late Oba Olusegun Akinbola who joined his ancestors three years ago.
The traditional kingmakers led by the Regent and Lisa of Alade-Idanre, High Chief Oladipo Akinsowon said the town has been without a monarch since Oba Akinbola joined his ancestors three years ago.
Pointedly, Akinsowon said anybody parading himself as the monarch of the town is an impostor and such action is against the tradition and custom of the ancient town.
Speaking with newsmen after he met with traditional kingmakers, key chiefs, and youths leaders of the community at his palace, High Chief Oladipo Akinsowon who is also the Prime Minister of the town disowned a selection process that violates the tradition and custom of the community, noting that anybody parading himself as Oba-elect is an impostor and the publish should disregard such character.
The Lisa flanked by the community kingmakers the Sasere, and the Odunwo, explained that they would soon begin the selection process of having a new king in line with the tradition of the town as an High Court has invalidated the earlier method of choosing an Oba.
He cleared the air that the kingmakers were not responsible for the delay in the selection process, blaming the delay on a litigation which had been settled by the court.
The Chairman of the Alade Kingmakers said, “presently, we have no king in Alade but we have regent. As regent, I have been on the throne for the past three years taking control of the community, and holding meetings with my chiefs because presently, the regent is the acting Oba.
“If anybody is parading himself as an Oba, he is never an Oba. I think he is arrogating power that does not belong to him. Nobody can become the Oba without the consent of the kingmakers and government; and we have not chosen anybody as the king (of Alade).
“The latest judgment has referred us to our traditional way of installing an Oba. Since both papers (chieftanc documents) presented to the court have not been recognized and to avoid a vacuum, we are liaising with the elderly people in the community and discussed the matter with them for possible advice on further steps.
“We have a part of Idanre that has experienced 25 Obas on the throne and the 26th is on the throne. They have their traditional ways they are using without relying on any (paper) recommendation. We will consult all those people, the elders and they will guide us on the way forward.
“We are not considering any Ruling House for now because the first one, those who were sent to the court were struck out. This time, we are going purely on the traditional ways of installing an Oba. Before you can become an Oba, you must belong to a ruling house and we have two ruling houses in Alade which are the Akinbola and Akinboro.
“We initially had six kingmakers but we have lost three. Now, we have three which include me (the Lisa), the Sasere, and the Odunwo. No Oba has been approved by the court as the Aladeokun-in-council of Alade, Idanre.”
Similarly, the youth of the town through the Secretary, Mr Adewale Akinrinlola said they appreciated the new development and pronouncement by the kingmakers that due process would be followed in selecting a monarch for the town.
Akinrinlola appealed to the kingmakers to swing into action immediately because the town was long overdue for a new monarch.
