Indigenes of the Jimba Oja community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the aegis of the Jimba Oja Descendants Congress (JODC), have urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to investigate the processes that led to the appointment of the new traditional ruler of the community.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the spokesperson for the community and Administrator General of the JODC, Alhaji Olanrewaju Bakare, alongside other members of the community, stated that the selection of the new traditional ruler, Oba Ismail Adebayo, did not follow due process.
The people, including traditional chiefs, members of the town’s development association, and other indigenes, said their preferred choice for the throne is Barrister Fatai Agboola Ibrahim, who was selected by the kingmakers.
They called on Governor Abdulrazaq to rectify the appointment of the new king to prevent an avoidable breakdown of law and order.
The community noted that the newly appointed king had contested as an independent candidate for the throne and was not nominated by the two ruling houses, Akaparo and Baale, which traditionally select candidates for the throne.
“The two ruling houses nominated candidates for the throne. Oba Ismail Adebayo was not selected by the Baale ruling house, where he came from.
“He contested as an independent candidate, forming his own selection committee and kingmakers who selected him to be king,” they said.
The people also accused the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mallam Abdulahi Bata, of allegedly choosing the traditional ruler for the community by misinforming the governor.
They added that they may pursue legal action to resolve the matter, if necessary.
“We wrote a letter to the commissioner, which he acknowledged, and we also met with him physically, where he promised to intervene, but he didn’t.
“Then, we heard the announcement of a new king for our community, Jimba Oja.
“We love peace and do not want violence. We believe the truth needs no validation. We call on our listening governor to rectify the mistake made.
“We strongly believe that this government of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was not part of the conspiracy; rather, the government was misinformed and deceived by some individuals in the system.
“The community stands with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq through thick and thin, rain or sunshine, because he is a credible person.
“Based on his past and present principles, he stands for the truth, and this provides an opportunity to expose the bad elements of the system.”
Also speaking, the women leader of the community, Alhaja Memunat Ajao, appealed to the governor on behalf of the community and asked him to consider their demands.
“We call on our governor to look into the case because the new appointment is the result of collusion with some identified business owners in the area.
“We want the governor to investigate the matter, and all those involved should come forward to defend themselves.
“We don’t want violence; we want peace, and that’s why we are following the path of peace.”
Another traditional chief in the community, Alhaji Wahab Hassan, the Olori Afobaje (head of kingmakers), who is also the Eesa of Jimba Oja, stated that the two ruling houses,Akaparo and Baale nominated one and three persons, respectively, for the throne.
He added that the new king was only included among the nominees by some influential individuals, and the process was thrown open.
The head of Afobaje confirmed that the new king was not the recommended choice of the kingmakers or the community.
