The absence of the kingmakers on Wednesday stalled the appointment of a new Aree of Iree in Boripe North local council development authority in Osun State.
InsightMedia gathered that the process to get a new kind for the town following a court ruling in September, was put together by the Boripe North LCDA.
Representatives of the State Government from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Security agents were on ground to witness the appointment but it was put on hold as the kingmakers were nowhere to be found.
The kingmakers are traditionally empowered to appoint the new monarch, by virtue of Yoruba culture.
Addressing journalists shortly after the gathering, the Chairman, Boripe North Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbegbin, said it is unfortunate that the kingmakers who should be around to appoint the new monarch have absconded.
“It is so unfortunate that our kingmakers who should be on ground to appoint the new Aree of Iree are nowhere to be found. This is the third time that we will be gathering here to elect the new monarch.
“As the council Chairman, have notified all the stakeholders who are here to write their reports and submit it to the appropriate quarters. We are going to look at the issue very critically to know why our kingmakers are not showing up.”
When contacted, High Chief Saliu Atoyebi (Aogun Of Iree land) blame their absence on the security of all the Kingmakers, which according to him, is not guaranteed.
He said: “As kingmakers, we are ready to perform our traditional assignment, but we cannot be risking our lives when we are aware of what the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Banik) is planning to do for we the kingmakers. We heard what he plans for us but we cannot risk our lives, most especially, the elderly ones among us.
One of the princes, Wasiu Abiodun Adeleke, from Olaromoye ruling house, said according to the judgement of Justice Jide Falola of Osun State high court, that mandated the four ruling hou ses, Oyekun, Oyetite, Eyinola and Olubonku to produce the next monarch for the town.
According to Prince Adeleke, he opined “Though, we are aware that a lot of controversies are going on regarding the appointment of the new Aree, but what is important is that a new king should be installed in no distant time.
He said: “I want to implore the State Government to help us look critically into this issue as our kingmakers are not ready to perform their responsibility. This is the third time the government will be coming for the this assignment.”
Attempt to speak with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, prove abortive as calls and messages sent to hsi cellphone were not responded to.
Iree has been without a monarch since the demise of Oba Jimoh Olayoonu who joined his ancestors in 2018.
