The Aroloye family from Idanre, located in Ondo State’s Idanre Local Government Area, has called upon Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the selection process for a new monarch in the community, raising concerns over the alleged imposition of an ineligible candidate.
The position of the Owa of Idanre became vacant following the death of Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye in July 2024 at the age of 102. Since then, the community has begun steps to appoint a successor.
However, the family, represented by their legal counsel, Mr. Akinyemi Omoware, has alleged in a letter to the governor that certain government officials are supporting a candidate who does not meet the criteria for the throne. A copy of the letter was made available to our correspondent on Friday.
The family cautioned that any attempt to impose a candidate could lead to communal unrest, urging the governor to ensure adherence to due process.
The letter stated in part, “By the combined effect of the Registered Declaration and the White Paper, an extant condition stated as a qualification for an eligible applicant for the stool of Owa of Idanre is that such person must be the son of a previous holder of the title of Owa of Idanre. The other condition stated in the Declaration has been abrogated by the White Paper.
“The Declaration recognised 12 kingmakers, and by the provisions of the Chiefs Law, the quorum of the kingmaker is a simple majority of the kingmakers.
“From the directive of the government, as conveyed in the letter under reference, the local government is directed to ensure that due process in line with the Registered Declaration and the provisions of the Chiefs Law are complied with. It is only in line with this directive that the enduring peace that has long existed in the ancient town of Idanre can be sustained.”
The letter further claimed that some government agents were backing a particular aspirant who, according to the family, is not a son of any former Owa of Idanre and, as such, is not qualified to participate in the selection process.
The family asserted their intent to resist any efforts to deviate from the tradition and history of the stool, urging officials responsible for chieftaincy matters to uphold the law.
“We appeal to Your Excellency to direct the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to adhere to the extant Registered Chieftaincy Declaration of Owa of Idanre.
“It is only in this regard that enduring peace can be sustained in Idanre. We have no doubt that Your Excellency will uphold the rule of law and direct the Ministry to toe the same line accordingly,” the family stated.
In response, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, refuted claims that his ministry was attempting to impose a king on the community, calling the accusations “completely false and misleading.”
“It is important to clarify that the state government does not, and cannot, impose anyone as king in any community. Such claims are nothing but cheap blackmail aimed at discrediting the authorities.
“All the princes who have shown interest have visited me in the office, and I have directed all of them to the kingmakers. If anybody is not eligible, it is for the kingmakers and not the government. We have no hand in the selection process,” he stated.
