By Adekola Afolabi
The indigenes of Ojo town in Ajowa-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the State Government to intervene in the looming Obaship tussle in the ancient community.
According to the indigenous people of the town, some non-indigenes resident in the community are planning to cause crisis in the peaceful community by trying to present another Regent as against the incumbent native on the throne.
It would be recalled that the Olojo of Ojo town, Oba Timothy Adewale Afiwasaye 1, departed on September 6, 2023, leading to the appointment of his daughter, Princess Sarah Adewale as Regent of the town.
Chief Jacob Adegoke, the Baba Eto of Uro Kingdom, while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Akure, said it is an aberration and against their custom and tradition for non-indigenes who he called “asylum seekers” to be aspiring to the Regent or Oba of the town, adding that so many lies are being packaged to justify their claims for joint ownership of Ojo town.
He drew the attention of the state government to the Olojo of Ojo Chieftaincy declaration of 1957 registered on April 8,1958, which approved three ruling houses including Awarinajo Ruling House, Awarin Oji Ruling House and Awarin Olofa Ruling House, and the White Paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission Report which was approved by Ondo State Government.
Chief Adegoke who added that White Paper on Morgan Report was contested in court but the agitators lost their case and were fined, also called for frozen of the controversial declaration made on October 17, 2022 and registered on February 3, 2023, as well urged government to direct all parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit in court.
He disclosed that Oba Obaro Akila, the first Olojo of Ojo, founded the town.
“Thereafter, some people from different areas came to seek refuge in Ojo during the reign of the 3rd Olojo of Ojo, Oba Olaremu Fajuwon, 1778 -1838. They were granted assylum and were put in different locations round the seat of power at Aremu.
“Ironically, it is very spirit of accommodating latitude, this very emblem of expressive hearing which is now being used by interlopers to contest Ojo space with the Indigenous native people. So many lies are being packaging to justify their claims for joint ownership of Ojo space changing stories to justify their imaginary claims.
“With their imaginary supporters in the ministry, documents in Olojo of Ojo chieftaincy file were removed. Sudden disappearance of some Ojo documents submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs.
Also, another indigene and leader in the town, Oluwasegun Abimbola, said, “To all Aremu people, 17th of October, 2023 was a black day in the history of Ojo when a kangaroo declaration was illegally made to snatch away the right of the indigenous native people of Ojo”.
