Ogun: Ijebu community elects monarch after 27 years of royal tussle

A new Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, has emerged after a 27-year battle to fill the vacant stool.

It was learnt that the last Orimolusi, Oba Sani Adetayo, died in May 1994 and since then, the stool had been without an occupant due to disputes over who would succeed him.

The protracted crisis was between the nine contestants from the same Ojuronmi Ruling House, whose turn it was to produce the next king.

However, respite came on Tuesday when the kingmakers of the community elected Prince Lawrence Jayeola Adebajo, as the Orimolusi-elect.

It was gathered that Adebajo polled six votes to defeat his closest rival, Prince Soliu Sadiku, who had four votes.

The State government on Wednesday said an Oba-elect for the stool of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo had emerged.

The State government said the emergence followed the voting of 10 out of the 11 warrant chiefs it appointed to elect candidates for the vacant stool.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Afolabi Afuape, made this known while fielding questions from journalists shortly after presenting certificate and staff of office to the Alale of Moriwi, Oba Olusegun Taiwo, in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Afuape said that, “an Oba-elect has emerged as Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo,” but added that he has not got details of the process that led to the emergence.

He said, “The information that got to me yesterday (Tuesday) is that, at the election, the chiefs voted and I think an Oba-elect actually emerged.

“When I get to the Office, I will get you more details. But for now, there is an Ob-elect.”