For reappointing a deposed king, the Labirikusi ruling house, whose turn, the Supreme Court said, it is to produce the Eleruwa of Eruwa, has expressed its disapproval.
Prince Olusegun Adewale Oke, who spoke on behalf of the family, said they won’t be violent about the development, they left the conscience of those involved to judge them as they have been robbed for the second time.
We, the family of Laribikusi ruling House, Eruwa was taken aback by the the decision of Oyo state government to reappoint the deposed king, Samuel Adebayo Adegbola as the new Eleruwa of Eruwa.
The news came as a rude shock to us when what was an obviously orchestrated ploy to return the once deposed king to the throne through the backdoor culminated in the event of March 6th when staff of office was given to him.
We, members of Laribikusi ruling house believe that we have the obligation to respond to the narrative out there that Laribikusi ruling house was unable to present candidates within the fourteen days notice given to us by the government according to Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, and that as a result, government had to shift the nomination process back to Akalako ruling house which was the ruling house that produced the last authentic Eleruwa, Oba Bolanle Olaniyan (Gbajumola II).
This narrative from the government can be best described with a proverbial saying that ” If you want to hang a dog, you give that dog a bad name”.
We maintain our position that nobody in the administration of this process either at Ibarapa East Local government or the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters gave us (Olaribikusi ruling house) fourteen day Nomination Notice in line with the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.
We challenge the chairman of Ibarapa East local government, Kazeem Arogundade to publish for the public to see the 14 days nomination notice he claimed to give to us and our acknowledgement of that notice. Knowing what is at stake.
We tried our best to call the attention of our governor, Engr Seyi Makinde whom we know to cherish due process and rule of law to this grand plan by powerful interests in Eruwa to return a man who usurped the throne for 21 years back to the throne at all cost through our numerous petitions, personal letters, radio and print media since we did not have direct access to the governor.
Unfortunately, we were not listened to and for the first time in the history of Yoruba land, one individual is occupying the same Obaship stool in succession by ridiculously claiming to belong to both the two distinct and different ruling houses at the same time! Entire Eruwa people are robbed for the second time but we appeal for calm.
No one should take law into their hands. It is our land and we want peace to reign. “Onilu ko ni fe ki ilu ohun ko baje”.
We even like what our Governor said during the presentation of staff of office, that, and I quote : ” I will do what my conscience says is right, as I know that I will explain this, one day before my own Maker”, what a wonderful statement.
Anyway, we believe that justice we prevail, and at the end of the tunnel there shall be light.
Prince Olusegun Adewale Oke
Laribukusi ruling house, Eruwa
