There was pandemonium in the ancient town of Iresa-du, headquarters of Surulere Local Government of Oyo state yesterday following the declaration of a man, who proclaimed himself as the new monarch of the town, Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu.
Youths numbering over 100 took to the streets of Iresa-Adu in protest against the declaration of the man identified as Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde who called him self the new traditional ruler of the town.
His purported declaration as the new Aresa of Iresa-Adu however, sparked off protests from sons, daughters and residents of the town which included both the youths and the elderly who argued that filling the vacant stool had earlier resulted in litigation yet to be determined by an Oyo state High Court.
The protesting youths barricaded major roads leading to the town and burnt disused tyres and chanted war songs, challenging Adeyeye Oyerinde to come out of his hiding place, while praise singers and drummers contracted by the purported monarch were also beaten to a pulp during the protest which lasted close to five (5) hours.
The development however, compelled security operatives which included the police, personnel of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) among others to enforce the law and pacify the protesting youths.
It was gathered that an Oyo state High Court sitting in Orile – Igbon area of the local government had in suit number HOI/04/2019, dated 17th April, 2019, restrained the Oyo state government as well as the self-aclaimed monarch, Prince Adeyeye Oyerinde from proceeding with nomination and other proceses leading to the installation of the new Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu pending the heating and final determination of the suit.
Others restrained in the interim injunction included: the State Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Secretary to the Local Government, Raji Oloyede, Tunde Oloyede, Nathaniel Oyediran and Oyewumi Oyeniran.
But in what appeared as defiance to the court order, Adeyeye Oloyede in conivance with others however, went ahead and install him as the new Aresa-Adu of the town.
His declaration however, met stiffer resistance from other residents of the town including the youths and others who are all stakeholders to the vacant stool.
It also took the quick intervention of the police from the Iresa-Adu and Ogbomoso Divisional headquarters who whisked away the self-aclaimed monarch to safety in an unknown place.
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gbenga Fadeyi said the situation has been brought under control.
Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police further stated that it is the duty of the police to maintain peace and order and “that includes keeping and maintaining the peace in Iresa-Adu. That we will not shy away from”.
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