Barring last minute upturn of decision, the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lt. Col. Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, will be appointed the next Elemona of Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Yusuf, if appointed, will succeed his father and late monarch, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi, who died in May, at the age of 95.
Findings by Daily Trust Wednesday night revealed that the process of his announcement is only waiting to be ratified by the state government.
Senior palace sources and top stakeholders in Oyun who confirmed his selection to our correspondent said the community is very happy and excited about Yusuf’s choice.
A former chairman of the council who preferred anonymity because he was not officially designated to speak on the issue said “Yes, it is true but nothing is official yet. Yusuf recently has transformed the community. His interventions in Ilemona is almost on a daily basis. He has brought the college of education there and repurchased most of the lands sold by his father for the community.
“Ilemona is a small town. If you compare the place now and before, you would be wowed by his footprint and how he has transformed the place which was why all the ruling houses conceded the title to him.
“He is yet to accept or reject it. But everybody is happy over the development.”.
A government source said, “Yusuf’s name has been selected by the kingmakers and submitted to the Ministry of Loca Government Chietiancy Affairs and Community Development, as at the close of work today (Wednesday) for the governor’s ratification”.
Contacted on Wednesday night, the commissioner for ministry, Hon Abdullahi Abubakar Bata, said “the process” of his appointment has not been finalised.
“It (his appointment) is still in process. We have not announced anything yet. I am the person that will do that and the government will rectify it.
“I have read a lot of things on social media about it but disregard the rumour. Appointment of a monarch is not a secret or isolated thing. But once we are through, I will let you know”, he submitted.
At the time of filling this report, the government is yet to issue any official statement on the development.
