Elders to end 24-year-old Orimolusi chieftaincy dispute in Ogun

The 24-year-old chieftaincy dispute over the Orimolusi stool in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State may soon come to an end.

Worried by the interregnum, which has pushed the town backwards due to lack of traditional leadership, elders in the town organised a stakeholders’ meeting to find a lasting solution.

The elders, under the aegis of Ijebu-Igbo traditional council, ascribed the lawlessness, violence and cult activities in the city to the absence of traditional leadership.

The last Orimolusi, Oba Sami Adetayo, joined his ancestors in 1994. Since then, the stool has remained vacant, due to dispute with the Ojuromi Ruling House over who becomes the next king.

All the kingmakers in the House, as well as six out of the initial nine contestants to the throne have died since the struggle began, according to Chairman of the Council, Prof. Layi Ogunkoya.

Speaking with journalists in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogunkoya said: “Our glorious past is going into uncontrollable degeneration due to the absence of a unifying head for a prolonged period of 24 years, and we cannot continue to sit down and look on.”

He described the situation as embarrassing to the entire community and called on the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona and Governor Ibikunle Amosun to give the elders “one more chance” to settle the dispute.

The case is still in court. But Ogunkoya said the best way to settle the dispute, which has polarised the town, is do so amicably.

“The reason, according to our Elders, is that it is practically difficult if not impossible for feuding members of the same family or clan to return from court cases and still remain friends,” he said.