Ondo: Mayowa Aroloye emerges Owa-elect of Idanre

By Boye Oyeyemi

Prince Mayowa Aroloye has emerged as the Owa-elect of Idanre in Ondo State after defeating six other contenders in an election conducted by the kingdom’s accredited kingmakers.

Aroloye secured seven of the eight votes cast, representing 87.5 per cent of the total votes, while his closest rival, Prince Babatope Aroloye, polled one vote.

The election featured seven princes seeking to succeed the former occupant of the traditional stool. The exercise was conducted by eight accredited kingmakers responsible for selecting the next Owa of Idanre.

The Secretary of Idanre Local Government, Felix Akinfala, who presided over the exercise, announced Aroloye as the Owa-elect following the conclusion of the voting.

Ahead of the election, the Chairman of Idanre Local Government, Hon. Smart Adeuyi Omotadowa, had appealed to the contestants to maintain unity and accept the outcome of the selection process.

Omotadowa urged the princes to support whoever emerged victorious, stressing that they belonged to the same ruling house and should regard one another as members of the same family.

He said the contest should not create divisions among the princes but should instead strengthen unity and preserve the traditional heritage of Idanre Kingdom.

Western Post reports that Aroloye’s emergence marks a significant step towards filling the vacant traditional stool, although his emergence as Owa-elect remains subject to the necessary traditional and government approval processes.