Ajase-Ipo kingmakers, on Thursday, said the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Kayode Alabi didn’t interfere in the selection of the new traditional head of the community.
Two among the kingmakers, Chief Nasiru Usman Oladimeji-Eesa of Ajase-Ipo and Chief Bashiru Olaitan Jamiu –Ojomu of Ajase-Ipo, while jointly addressing journalists said the Deputy Governor has not according to the kingmakers been directly or indirectly involved in the selection process neither has he shown preference for anyone among the aspirants.
Reacting to a published letter sent to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq by Olawale Kabir, on behalf of a youth forum, the kingmakers said it would be wrong and antithetical to the interests of the town for anyone among the indigenes to seek to promote distrust and break with tradition, emphasizing that they are empowered to play a role in the appointment of the town’s traditional ruler.
They said, “We are conscientious men and we have made the interests of Ajase-Ipo to dwarf other possible pecuniary interests. In all that we have done, we have been very particular about what we considered best for the development and progress of our town.
“We have not done anything unusual or extraordinary. We felt what is right is to choose the person that we have considered most suitably qualified.
“And some people have said we settled for one candidate like we have always explained; it was done in the best interest of the town. There are also precedents the recent one being 2009 when the kingmakers recommended Oba Sikiru Woleola as the sole candidate.”
Reacting to a meeting between them and the Deputy Governor, the kingmakers pointed out that there were no ulterior motives for their visit, adding that they only went to meet Mr. Alabi to assist them to brief the governor about the steps they had taken.
The kingmakers also hinted that the selection process had been concluded on the 8th March 2021 before visiting Alabi on Monday 19th April 2021, stressing that the first out of the three memos sent to the Government in respect of the issue was authored by the Ajase-Ipo Traditional Council on the 9th March 2021.
“This is the fourth king to be installed during my tenure as Eesa of Ajase- Ipo. Three of us; Baale, Eesa, and Ojomu are the Kingmakers; we have reached a consensus with other eight (8) high Chiefs.
“We were at Okeosin and Omu-Aran to inform them about our resolutions. We have also taken it to the Deputy Governor as an appropriate message-bearer,” they added.
They urged all aspirants to allow the interests in the progress of the ancient town to be uppermost in their minds and shun acts and actions that can promote tensions in Ajase-Ipo.
Kwara Deputy Gov didn’t interfere in Olupo’s selection process – Ajase Ipo kingmakers | The Informant247