By Richard Akintade
Recent imposition of a candidate to be the next Salu of Edunabon in Ife North West Local Council Development Area of Osun State by the Council officials has been condemned in totality.
The kingmakers of the ancient community, Olosi of Edun-Abon, Moringbere and Oluokun of Edun-Abon, made this known at a joint addressed press conference on Thursday in Osogbo the state capital.
While speaking on behalf of the kingmakers, the head of kingmakers, Olosi of Edun-Abon, Chief Olatidoye Oyedokun, stated that only the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, can give the authority to give consent to the candidate and inform the council on the installation of the new Salu of Edun-Abon.
He said, in a chieftaincy declaration of 1957 made available to news men, it was stated that “the consent of the Ooni of Ife is required to an appointment made by the kingmakers.
They stated that the kingmakers have screened all the 12 candidates presented by Lamba, Amoloye and Ajimajasan ruling houses, and Prince Nasiru Bolawole Adebayo emerged.
According to the kingmakers, Ooni had on November 22nd gave his consent to the installation of Adebayo as the new Salu before other contestants kicked.
They alleged that one of the Princes brought a letter, purportedly signed on November 29 after Governor Rauf Aregbesola had left on November 27.
The letter, according to the kingmakers, was queried by Ooni, but the aggrieved Prince could not explain how they got the letter and instead resulted to violence.
In a report on the selection of new Salu of Edun-Abon sent to Ooni of Ife on September 14, 2018, the kingmakers had presented Adebayo of Amoloye compound to Ooni as new Salu of Edun-Abon.
The kingmakers expressed surprised on the alleged invasion of the palace by Prince Oladepo Kehinde of the same Amoloye ruling house and burnt the palace.
They alleged that the attempt was to steal the beaded crown which has been heavily protected by the kingmakers since the demise of the late Salu.
The town has been engulfed in serious crisis as the duo of Princes Adebayo and Oladepo have been laying claim to the stool.
The Kingmakers who said the crisis in the town was caused by the local government warned them not to cause chaos in the peaceful community, and recognise Prince Adebayo who has emerged through a normal and due process.
