Alale stool crisis rocks Akungba-Akoko

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

The sleepy town of Akungba Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State is now divided following the chieftaincy tussle rocking the community. While a section of the town was in support of the newly installed Alale, Oba Sunday Ajimoh, another section of the town opposed his selection and subsequent installation.

Akungba Akoko is the heart of Akoko land and the progenitor of the town was a direct descendant of Oduduwa. He migrated from Ile-Ife to the present day Akungba Akoko. It is also the traditional headquarters of the Akoko and is today blessed with a university named after the first executive governor of the state, Chief Adekunle Ajasin.

The town is now deserted even by students for fear of attack following a protest over the installation of Ajimoh as the Owa Ale of Akungba Akoko. For more than 10 years, the town was without a traditional ruler, a situation, which made it to be ruled y regents.

However, few days to the end of the tenure of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko he appointed Ajimoh as the traditional ruler. This led to the protest. The state High Court in Ikare Akoko had earlier declared Prince Oseni Isiaka Adu as the Alale-elect. It was challenged at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal and the court is yet to rule on the appeal.

The announcement of the new monarch generated rumpus as supporters of Adu protested round the town and warned the new monarch against going to the palace for any rite. Adu said he appealed to his supporters to allow peace reign:

“The reason for this purported illegality is not far fetched. Some elements from the other side are restless. They alleged me of pitching tents with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. They believe my relationship with him will be an additional benefit for me.”

He appealed to the state government to hasten action on his installation based on the judgment delivered by the High Court, Ikare on February 13, 2013. He also called on the people to remain calm and be law abiding pending the government’s decision on the obaship issue.

Ajimoh could not be reached for comment. However, a resident who claimed to be his aide of was seen at the entrance of the palace when Daily Sun visited. He said Oba Ajimoh is peace loving and would not foment trouble for any reason. The aide who did not identify himself but claimed to have known Ajimoh for over two decades said the appointment of the monarch by

Mimiko followed due process and the traditions of the town:

“Kabiyesi cannot speak on any issue now, and he cannot attend to any individual for traditional reasons.”

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Another indigene, Mr. Wasiu Beyioku, said: “The former governor caused crisis in the town by announcing the appointment of the new monarch despite pending appeal before the Court of Appeal.”

He said the community is divided as a section is in support of the monarch, while majority of the indigenes of the town both at home and in the Diaspora are against him.

He called on the state government to review the appointment of Oba Ajimoh, saying the kingmakers and other traditional chiefs in the town should be allowed to decide their traditional ruler in line with tradition and culture.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, said the police would not interfere in the matter being a chieftaincy one. He added, however, that they would do everything to prevent breakdown of law and order in the community.

Since 2013, Akungba Akoko had been embroiled in crisis following over the vacant stool of Alale.

Meanwhile, Agure and Mokun ruling houses challenged the appointment of Ajimoh as the Alale of Akungba-Akoko. They claimed the appointment was illegal as there was a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal. They urged Akeredolu to revisit the appointment and do justice on the matter in the interest of peace and harmony.

Their petition reads in part: “The Kingmakers of Akungba-Akoko met and elected Prince Isiaka Oseni of Agure branch of Ole Ruling House as the Alale of Akungba-Akoko and his name was forwarded through the normal channel to the State Executive Council but before the Approval could be given the Ajimoh branch of Ole Ruling House instituted an action with suit number AK/195/2007 wherein they were challenging the candidature of the said Oseni and or anyone from his Agure branch of the Ole ruling house.

“The court in a well considered judgement dismissed the claim of the claimants and granted the reliefs sought by the defendants which included upholding the election or selection of Oseni Adu. The claimants appealed to the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which appeal has been entered as Appeal number CA/AK/72/14.

“Surprisingly, on February 23, 2017, we heard the announcement that the immediate past Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, appointed one Isaac Sunday Ajimoh as the Alale of Akungba and was given the Staff and Instrument of Office.

“It should be noted that this Isaac Sunday Ajimoh is from Ajimo branch of Ole ruling house, the appellant in the appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure on the matter. This illegal act was perpetrated by the appellants.

“It is therefore necessary to appeal to your Excellency to intervene in this matter to correct the injustice and gross abuse of court process. As stakeholders in the administration of justice, it is incumbent on us to protect the dignity of our court which the appellants tend to rubbish and bring to ridicule.”