Powerful Politician Frustrating Selection Of New Aree – Iree Prince

 

Ismaeel Uthman

A Prince from Ojo Ayagaga ruling house in Iree, Alh.Adelani Olaniyi, has stated that a powerful politician in the town was frustrating the process of selecting a new traditional ruler for the community.

According to Olaniyi, everything was set for the selection process of a new Aree except the official nod of the government which is being withhold by the said powerful politician.

Olaniyi, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in Iree on Monday, said the kingmakers in the town are ready to kickstart the selection process but waiting for the approval of the local government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 

He said the politician who holds an important position in the current administration of Adegboyega Oyetola has influenced the local government and ministry officials and barred them from giving consent to the selection process of the new Aree.  

The prince said: “By now, we should have begun selection process for the new Aree. After the court judgment in June this year, the kingmakers met and initiated the process for a new traditional ruler to emerge. The four ruling houses that are in the race in line with the court judgment have also begun process.

“On the day the kingmakers were supposed to officially begin the process, a powerful politician from this same town barred the local government officials from attending the meeting. The politician is using his position to frustrate the selection of new Aree. I think that politician has his own preferred candidate to the stool.

“Please, help up to appeal to that powerful politician to allow Iree have a new traditional ruler. We are due for it. He should not hold the entire town down because he wants to force somebody on us.”

Olaniyi commended the traditional chiefs and other stakeholders in Iree for their efforts in giving the town leadership and keeping safe in spite of the absence of a king.