Kunle Adelabu
High Chief Zaccheus Odusoga, the Regent and Olisa of Ikorodu has declared that there was no Court injunction preventing the Council of Kingmakers from concluding the process of selecting a successor to Ayangbure throne.
The Regent made this disclosure at a press briefing on the process of selecting another Ayangbure of Ikorodu which took place on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Ayangbure palace pavilion.
“We got a summon three days after we have concluded the process of selecting another Ayangbure for Ikorodu through the Chieftaincy Secretary, Alhaji Ajenise. There was no injunction at all because there is no way there could have been any injunction since no judge was sitting during the period in question”, Regent declared.
Chief Odusoga had stated that the body was not expected to address the press and members of the public on the process of selecting another monarch, but for controversies and rumours being peddled around.
The regent who stated that the Council of Kingmakers which he is the Chairman received list of 24 names from Lasunwon Ruling House on 23rd of December, 2014 and they were given seven days to conclude the process of selecting another Aynagbure and by Sunday, December 28, 2014, the kingmaker’s report was ready for submission.
“We were given seven days, though it was supposed to be seven working days, but within the period we were given, there were Christmas, Boxing day, Saturday and Sunday, but since we were told from on set that we cannot request for any extension of date, we adhered strictlyto the time-frame. By Sunday, December 28, 2014, our report was ready for submission and this was duly communicated to the Chieftaincy Secretary”, Chief Odusoga told the reporters.
The Regent also stated that four out of the eight Afobajes (Kingmakers) as stated in the 1957 Declaration, attended the deliberations and participated in the voting and other process. According to him, “Chief Kabir Sotobi who is also a member of Council of Kingmakers was excused on the ground that he is a contestant, while Oluwo and Losi are seriously indisposed. The eighth Kingmaker, Chief Kehinde Oshinsanya, the Aro of Ikorodu died last year. So, these are the reasons why it was the four of us – Olisa, Oponuwa, Solomade and Apena were the ones that participated and concluded the process.”
On the method used in arriving at High Chief Kabir Sotobi, the incumbent Odofin of Ikorodu as preferred candidate to succeed the late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, Olisa stated that the Kingmakers consulted Ifa Oracle as required by law and also allowed themselves to be guided by the provisions of the Declaration which stated that the Kingmakers must have regard for the ability, character and popular supports of each candidate before considering a preferred one.
According to him, “Aside consulting Ifa Oracle which made revelations on each of the candidates, we also voted and incidentally, the four Kingmakers voted Chief Kabir Sotobi as preferred candidate. In voting, we were duly guided by the provision of the Declaration especially where it was stated that we must take due cognizance of ability, character and popular supports for each of the candidates.”
While commenting on the position of Lambo branch on an agreement reached with Chief Kabir Sotobi and Adegorushen branch both of Lasunwon Ruling House and which became the judgment of the Court before Chief Sotobi was installed as the Odofin that the Lambo branch shall be the one to fill next Chieftaincy title coming to the Lasunwon Ruling house, Chief Odusoga stated that none of the kingmakers was party to the said agreement and on the basis they do not know about it.
The Kingmakers also denied that there is any dissention among them on the name of Chief Kabir Sotobi being forwarded to the State government through Ikorodu Local Government Chieftaincy Officer, Alhaji Ajenise-Kuti and that the purported letter written on behalf of Chief Afolabi Adekayaoja, Solomade of Ikorodu and Chief Karimu Ore, the Apena of Ikorodu that they are disassociating themselves from the outcome of the Kingmakers process was falsified and the legal firm responsible for that has been asked to retract and tender apology within seven days failure which the National Disciplinary Committee of Nigeria Bar Association shall be petitioned.
At the Press briefing were other three kingmakers that participated in the selection process, Chief Afolabi Adekayaoja, Solomade of Ikorodu, Chief Karimu Ore, Apena of Ikorodu and Chief Jacob Kolawole Adaraloye, the Oponuwa of Ikorodu. There are also members of the Ayngbure-in-Council, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikorodu, SP Aderemi among others.
