Olowu stool: Otileta ruling house nominates seven candidates to kingmakers for selection

The Otileta ruling house of Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta, Ogun State, whose turn is to produce the next Olowu of Owu, has nominated seven candidates to the kingmakers for selection as the next king.

The presentation of the candidates’ name, was sequel to the screening of princes, nominated by five compounds, that make up the Otileta ruling house.

Western Post had exclusively reported on Wednesday that 12 princes from the Otileta ruling house had signified their interest to become the new Olowu of Owu.

The seven candidates who made the cut are: Prince Adegbemi Adewale from Ile Aderinoye; Prince Adelani Oladimeji from Ile Omoleefon; Prince Matemilola Adelola from Ile Soke and Prince Olatidoye Olaniyi from Ile Soke.

Others are Prince Adeyanju Bakinson from Ile Otopo; Prince Simeon Soyele from Ile Lumosa and Prince Adesina Adelani from Ile Soke.

Though, no voting was done during the screening by delegates, our correspondent gathered that scores were awarded based on the performance of each of the candidates at the screening and interview sessions.

According to the results sheet, Prince Adegbemi Adewale, a PhD holder, came first with 1,027 points; Prince Adelani Oladimeji, scored 909 points, Prince Matemilola Adelola, 886 points, while Prince Olatidoye Olaniyi scored 863 points.

Other scores are Prince Adeyanju Bakinson, 862 points; Prince Simeon Soyele, 827 points and Prince Adesina Adelani, 801 points.

The Olowu stool became vacant, following the demise of the late Oba Adegboyega Dosumu, who joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021.

Prior to the screening and interview by the ruling house, the Abeokuta North Local Government, had in a public notice titled: “Filing of Vacant Stool of Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta” and signed by the Secretary to the Local Government, Odusiji Kabiru Ayinla, directed the Otileta Ruling House to convene a meeting within 14 days from the date of the notice.

The Public Notice, required the Otileta Ruling House to convene the meeting between March 2, 2022 and March 15, 2022.

The Public Notice was pasted in strategic and conspicuous places in compounds that make Otileta Ruling House.

The notice reads: “The appointment process of filing the vacant stool, has commenced in line with the directive of the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta in its letter Reference Number CHM1/4T2/241 dated 21 February 2022 and the provisions of Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021 and it is the turn of Otileta Ruling House to produce candidate or candidates to fill the vacant stool in accordance with the Registered Declaration of Olowu of Owu.

“Furthermore, the Otileta Ruling House is hereby required in accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Chiefs Law, Laws of Ogun State, 2021 to convene a meeting of the ruling house within 14 days from the date of this notice i.e between 2nd March and 15th March, 2022.

“For the purpose of nominating candidate or candidates, the candidate (s) nominated will be presented to the kingmakers for the election of a suitable candidate as Olowu of Owu-Elect.

“The Secretary to Local Government should be informed of the date, venue and time of the Ruling House Nomination meeting in order for him to attend as an observer.”

With the nomination of the candidates by the ruling house, it was gathered that the selection process, would soon be completed.

In conformity with the public notice, Otileta ruling house informed the Secretary to Abeokuta North Local Government who led other staff of the local government to observe the selection process.