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Monarch’s imposition: ODSG wades in as community protests

By Adekola Afolabi

The people of Ogbagi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest to register their grievances against alleged plans to impose another monarch on the community.

The people who converged on the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure, said they were informed that Chief Eleegun of Eegun Street in Ogbagi Akoko has been recognized as Oba within the community, saying that the development is against the culture and traditions of the ancient community.

According to the protesters who noted that there can never be two Obas in one community, particularly called on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to intervene and help them solve the issue before it gets out of hands.

They carried various placards with different inscriptions such as, “Ogbagi community says no to another Oba except Owa of Ogbagi land”; “It is a taboo to have two Obas in Ogbagi Akoko”, “Eegun does not have a defined territory in Ogbagi land”, “Eleegun is a Minor Chief under Owa of Ogbagi Akoko”, among several others.

The protesters were led by Chief Sajowa of Egako in Ogbagi, Moses Adeyemo and the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew.

Addressing the government representative, the poeple explained that the peaceful protest was to show their opposition to the appointment of Eleegun of Eegun, one of the Chiefs in the community, as Oba.

Chief Adeyemo explained that Eegun is a street in Ogbagi and has no land in the community, adding that the community will not accept any move by unscrupulous elements to cause crisis in the peaceful community.

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“According to our history and traditions, we only have and know one Oba in Ogbagi community which is Owa of Ogbagi. The name of the present Owa of Ogbagi is Victor Ojo Adetona. We don’t know or have any other Oba in Ogbagi again”, he said.

Also, the Youth Leader in the community, Ale Matthew, said members of the community wanted Governor Akeredolu to urgently intervene with a view to help resolve the matter once and for all.

He added that the culture and traditions of Ogbagi must be upheld and protected, saying that only Owa of Ogbagi is the recognized monarch in the history of the ancient community.

“It is a taboo to have another Oba in Ogbagi Akoko except Owa of Ogbagi land. All the sons and daughters of Ogbagi community, both home and abroad are against the move to impose another person on the community”, he said.

He particularly accused a former Chief Judge of the state of being behind the matter and appealed to Governor Akeredolu to prevail on him in the interest of peace in the community.

The poeple also submitted a copy of their Complaint Letter to the government representative for urgent action.

Addressing the peaceful protesters on behalf of the state government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, commended them for expressing their grievances in a peaceful manner.

He assured them that all their complaints would be conveyed to the Governor for necessary action, just as he charged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the community.

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Monarch’s imposition: ODSG wades in as community protests

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