By Miracle Okoro, Abeokuta
Hundreds of youths, women, and traditional chiefs from Orile Oko intensified their rejection of Adekoyejo Ijaduoye as the Asiwaju of Orile Oko on Wednesday, staging a peaceful protest against what they described as an illegal installation.
The protesters marched to the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adewale Ajayi, chanting solidarity songs in support of Chief Samson Adegboyega, whom they described as the authentic and duly installed Asiwaju of the community. Placards bearing bold inscriptions rejecting any attempt to replace Adegboyega with Ijaduoye were also displayed.
The protest followed what community leaders described as an illegal, unconstitutional act that runs contrary to the customs and chieftaincy traditions of Orile Oko.
They alleged that the action was carried out by Baale Moses Fadairo, who was said to have been installed less than a month ago.
Speaking during the protest, the Bada of Orile Oko, Chief Olusesi Adebesin, insisted that the duly installed Asiwaju of Orile Oko, Chief Samson Adegboyega, is still alive, stressing that it is against both custom and the Chieftaincy Law to install another person with the same title.
He noted that Adegboyega has never been found guilty of any misconduct, illegality, or acts capable of warranting his removal, adding that the alleged action of the Baale amounted to undermining the integrity and honour of the traditional stool.
“Samson Adegboyega was installed by the 3rd Oloko of Orile Oko. I see no reason why another person should be installed with the same chieftaincy title while he is still alive,” he said.
Describing Adekoyejo Ijaduoye’s conduct, the Bada alleged that he had not contributed positively to the development of the community, but rather resorted to threatening youths with police intervention and creating divisions among them.
“All Koyejo Ijaduoye knows is how to harass our youths and threaten them with police arrest,” he added.
Expressing displeasure at the palace of the Akarigbo in Sagamu, the Bada further emphasised that conferring the Asiwaju title on Ijaduoye is illegal and unacceptable as long as Adegboyega remains alive.
Also speaking on behalf of the youths, the Akogun of Orile Oko, Chief Olasunkami Ijaduoye, corroborated claims that Adekoyejo Ijaduoye’s actions had become a source of tension and distress within the community.
He described the conduct as intolerable, noting that it poses a serious threat to unity, peace, and freedom in Orile Oko.
According to him, members of the community have formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, calling for the urgent intervention of the Inspector General of Police to prevent a breakdown of law and order and to sustain peaceful coexistence in the community.
Responding on behalf of the Akarigbo, the Baamofin of Remoland, Chief Adebayo Onafuwa, stated that the law does not permit the installation of another person to occupy a chieftaincy title already held by a living chief.
“This matter is purely about the law. Without the demise of a chief, no one can lawfully replace him,” he said.
He advised the community and its chiefs to formally write to the Baale and copy the Akarigbo to express their grievances, stressing that proper documentation would aid monitoring and necessary action.
Meanwhile, when the community held a press conference last week, Adekoyejo Ijaduoye was contacted for a reaction he told the journalist that he is not in a position to talk, but we should contact the Kabiyesi
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