The Deji of the Akure kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has disclosed that the ancient town is capable of producing the next governor of the state if all Akure-speaking communities unite to achieve the feat.

According to the monarch, the local councils with Akure-speaking communities, such as Akure North, Akure South, and Ifedore, should endeavour to unite for the development of the communities.

While speaking during a media chat to mark his 10th anniversary with newsmen at his palace, the traditional ruler, who disclosed that over 100 court cases had been instituted against him over the issue of paramountcy, stressed that any community speaking the Akure dialect belongs to Akure.

Oba Aladelusi, who emphasised the importance of monarchs upholding tradition, stated that attending church or mosque does not prevent a traditional ruler from engaging in traditional practices for the benefit of the community.

He said, “There is no unity among Akure-speaking communities. If we had that, we would have been governor a long time ago. But the next one, in Jesus name, will be Akure. If I say Akure, I mean anybody from Akure, whether it’s Akure North, South, or Ifedore; all is Akure. This coming one, it’s going to be our turn.

“When I went to the throne 10 years ago, I went to all the Akure divisions and told the traditional rulers that we should all come together. They should not compete with Deji. It’s just like me competing with Ooni; people will just be laughing.

“When we came from Ife, nobody gave Deji the staff of office; we brought it from Ife. We were Deji from Ife, and we were ruling before governors started. It was the colonial masters who took away the kingship from us. So Deji has been the paramount ruler from Ife. When we started, we put Iju, Ogbolu, Ijare, and others there. They are the sons of Deji.

“Now, anybody from Akure North or Akure South can’t compete with Deji. God will help us come together. If we have one voice, we will do something better. Akure has the number; if we put our hands together, we will achieve great things.

“I believe anybody, any community that’s speaking the Akure dialect is Akure. If you go to Akure North, Akure South, or Ifedore, they all speak Akure. The Akure-speaking community is Akure.

“It has been there for some time; I’m not trying to just put myself on top of anybody. It’s just like saying that I and Baba Ooni are the same. No. So that’s one of the challenges, but God has been taking care of me.”