The Abibiri Royal family of the Osolo of Isolo in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo has petitioned the state government over the delay in filling the vacant stool.

The family, in a letter addressed to the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appealed to the state government to ensure the prompt filling of the vacant stool of Osolo of Isolo.

The letter dated November 17, signed by the family lawyer, Sola Ebiseni, was made available in Akure on Monday.

The Osolo stool became vacant on September 2, 2013, following the death of Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi.

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, had in a letter dated June 4, 2018, appointed Edward Adewole as the traditional head of the community.

The family, however, urged the state government to start filling the vacant stool in accordance with the customary law of the chieftaincy, “which stated that all sons of the Osolo dynasty and the male lineage only are eligible to contest whenever the stool becomes vacant.

“The Osolo of Isolo is a recognised chieftaincy on which throne 17 obas have reigned, the last being Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi, whose appointment was made by the state executive council on May 12, 2005, joined his ancestors on September 2, 2013.

“In consonance with customs, his daughter, Princess Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi, was appointed regent on the throne.

“The regent, in 2015, on behalf of the Isolo community, submitted a memorandum to Justice CET Ajama Commission of Enquiry on Chieftaincy matters, seeking that the Osolo Chieftaincy maintained its position as a recognised chieftaincy and be upgraded to the status of grade B Oba.

“As contained in Vol. 1, pages 120-121 of its report, the said Ajama Commission recommended that the Osolo of Isolo Chieftaincy deserved to maintain its position as a recognised Oba,” it said.

The family added that the Osolo stool, before its formal declaration by the state government as a recognised chieftaincy in 2005, had never been subjected to any prescribed authority, including the Deji of Akure.

“We hereby appeal to the government to set machinery in motion by inviting interested princes of the Isolo dynasty to present themselves before the kingmakers for an appointment. The said kingmakers had been appointed and in office before the demise of Oba Olukayode Oluwatuyi aforesaid.

“We wish to state that the position expressed herein was the same applied by the government to Iralepo of Isinkan in similar circumstances, which has engendered peace and solidarity amongst the Isinkan community and people.

“We appreciate the government for its forthrightness in dealing with sensitive and volatile issues, particularly chieftaincy matters and are confident that the Osolo of Isolo will be treated in the same manner,” the family stated. 

(NAN)