OGUN COMMUNITY PROTEST OVER ALLEGED IMPOSITION OF TRADITIONAL RULER
The protesters carried placards of various inscriptions such as “No to illegal palace in Abalabi”, “Abalabi is not for sale” and “No to imposition by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom”, and argued that, the controversial monarch is not an indigene of the community and has no right to rule over them.
Penpushing further reports that, the protesters led by Jacob Taiwo Akinpelu appealed to the government to intervene as matter urgency in order to prevent breaking down of law and order, expressing dismay on why Olowu will be imposing an Agura son and Chief to become monarch in Owuland.
The team leader who spoke with journalists described the action as unacceptable and illegal, declaring that the people would resist such imposition, recalling that the immediate past administration under Ibikunle Amosun had earlier rejected Bakare as candidate for the vacant Abalabi stool as well as a gazzette to that effect.
Penpushing further reports that, Akinpelu insisted that since the demise of their traditional ruler, Oba Edward Fasina, the three ruling houses ( Sonibare, Obamaja and Aromokala) are yet to produce any candidate for the stool, and also described the laying of palace foundation by the Olowu and Bakare as illegal, stressing that ” Abalabi is not for sale and will never be for sale”.
His words: “We want to implore His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene in this matter and also prevent the Olowu from coming to lay foundation of illegal palace in Abalabi in order to allow prince to reign in the community “.
The Permanent Secretary at the Governor’s Office, Mr. Iskilu Aboaba, after listening to the protesters said he would relay their message to the governor, with assurance that government shall do the needful. He stated “I will inform my superiors and they will tell the Governor to call Olowu not to lay any foundation in Abalabi tomorrow. Please be patient”.
