Ondo court orders kingmakers to resume selection of new monarch

By Boye Oyeyemi –

An Akure High Court has directed the Ijare kingmakers, led by High Chief Wemimo, the Sapetu of Ijare, to immediately resume the process of selecting a new Olujare using the list of 13 candidates produced by the Sejeokun Ruling House on August 22, 2022.

The court also instructed the Ifedore Local Government and the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to recognise the list of 13 candidates as valid, dismissing an alternative list of four candidates generated by other parties.

In a separate ruling, the court affirmed Chief Aarinmo Oluwole Oni as the legitimate head of the Sejeokun Ruling House, declaring any suspension imposed on him by a faction within the house null and void.

Relying on documents and the Ijare Chieftaincy Declaration Law of 1996, the judge traced the Olukekere descendants’ link to the Olujare stool, recognised Prince Kola Oyewole as a valid candidate, and warned against any attempts to exclude others.

The Olujare stool has been vacant since 2021 following the death of Engr. Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun, Kokotiri II. Efforts to select a successor were stalled after a faction allegedly suspended the Omowa’s head and manipulated candidate lists.

The Olukekere faction approached the court seeking three orders: the nullification of Chief Aarinmo’s suspension, recognition of their right to aspire to the Olujare stool, and validation of the list of 13 candidates.

The court declined to award costs, noting that the matter involved family issues.