Prince vying for Olowu of Owu stool ‘from Ibadan’
Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta
A mild drama ensued at the Olowu of Owu Palace, Abeokuta on Thursday when one of the seven princes shortlisted by the head of Otileta Ruling House for the vacant stool of the Olowu was discovered to have lied about his state of origin.
The seven princes shortlisted at the last screening are Prince Adegbemi Adewale (Aderinoye compound), Prince Adelani Semiu Oladimeji (Omoleefon compound), Prince Saka Ademola Matemilola (Soke compound), Prince Olaniyi Adejumo Olatidoye (Soke compound), Prince Adeyanju Kazeem Bankison (Otopo compound), Prince Simeon Abiodun Soyele (Lumosa compound) and Prince Adesina Adelani Olukayode (Soke compound).
Prince (Dr) Saka Matemilola claimed to be from Soke compound in Otileta ruling family of Oke-Eguya, Owu, Abeokuta.
The 57year-old doctorate degree holder in Applied Mechanic of the University of Cambridge scored 886 votes at the screening conducted by Prince Alabi Adelanwa, Chairman and Head of Otileta ruling family early this month.
However, his claims have been found to be inconsistent with the credentials he submitted for the screening.
Further screening of all credentials revealed that an affidavit submitted by Matemilola concerning his state of origin was not only inconsistent with his past, it is not also true.
The affidavit sworn to by Matemilola portrayed him to be a native of Ibadan in Ibadan North East Local Government Areas of Oyo State, and an engineer now resident at 7, Chief E.S Woriji Avenue, Rumurolu, Port Harcourt.
Among the kingmakers at the screening were, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo (Balogun of Owu kingdom), Chief Akinsipo (Akogun of Owu), Chief Moruf Egbeyemi (Asipa of Owu kingdom) among others.
