The inhabitants of Odo-Ijesa community in Osun State have insisted that the state government revoke the appointment of Oba Olufemi Olayinka as the Oluodo of Odo Ijesa, contending that the proper protocols were not followed in his instalment.
Some individuals residing in the town organized a peaceful protest within their community, expressing their opposition to Oba Olayinka’s appointment and appealing to the state government for the removal of the king.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Chief Olugbenga Ogunniyi, the leader of the town’s kingmakers and also holding the title of Orisa of Odo-Ijesa, expressed concerns about escalating tension within the community following the enthronement of Oba Olayinka.
Chief Olugbenga Ogunniyi stated that the installation rituals for Oluodo must initiate in Ilesa town before concluding other ceremonies in Odo Ijesa, expressing his regret that the longstanding established procedures for monarch installation were disregarded during Oba Olayinka’s coronation.
Ogunniyi, speaking on behalf of the community, urged the state government to intervene promptly, citing the protesters as representatives of the community’s interests.
He said, ‘There is a pending case before an Osun State High Court, Ilesa, on the Oluodo of Odo Ijesa stool and the court has restrained all parties from going ahead to fill the stool.’
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‘Tension is rising in the town. The security men called me as the next in line to the monarch and advised that we should plead with the protesters. They are afraid that the protest may be hijacked.’
‘I am the head of the kingmakers in the town. I don’t know about the installation of this new monarch. We have been invited by the officials of Osun State Government and they all denied knowing the installation. We are calling on the government to intervene before the matter goes out of hand.’
But when reached for comment regarding the allegations against him, Oba Olayinka insisted that his installation followed due process, saying only a few people staged a protest against him.
He said, ‘They are lying. Is it possible to install a king without the knowledge of the government?’
‘The only person that has the right to install a king in Ijesa-South federal constituency is the Ogboni of Ipole Ijesa and he was the one who installed me. Under the chieftaincy law of Osun State, he is the person with the right to install a king in Ijesa South Federal Constituency and he was the one that installed me.’
‘You know there is no way someone will have 100 per cent. Those protesting have the right to protest once they are not satisfied with a process.’
‘I will urge those protesting to let peace reign. Though there is no problem in the town like I said in my acceptance speech that day, I am not fighting anybody. If two people are fighting for one thing, it will go to one person.’