Kingmakers in Iree, Boripe local government area of Osun, have called on the state government to reconsider the process that produced Raphael Ademola as the new 16th Aree of Iree in the town.

One of the kingmakers, the Aogun of Iree, Saliu Atoyebi, who addressed journalists on behalf of the Aree-in-Council in Osogbo, said they were not in support of the process that produced the new traditional ruler.

Mr Atoyebi accused the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Bayo Adeleke, of imposing his preferred candidate.

He said that the Aree-in-Council were not allowed to be part of the election of the new traditional ruler for the town.

“They have not elected any king in Iree as far as we are concerned. What they should do is bring the contestants who are princes to us (kingmakers) from the four ruling houses for us to consult the oracle,” he alleged. “All these were not done. What they claimed they did was not the proper process by which the Aree of Iree would emerge.”

When contacted, Mr Adeleke said the kingmakers abdicated their duties.

The commissioner claimed that three meetings were called for kingmakers to elect a new traditional ruler, and they refused to turn up on those occasions.

He added that due process was followed in appointing the new ruler.

The Osun government had, on November 4, appointed Mr Ademola as the 16th Aree of Iree in Osun after warrant chiefs elected him. 

He succeeded Oba Jimoh Olayonu, who died on July 8, 2018.

(NAN)