Niyi Akande
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Indigenes of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State have urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke to lift suspension on the ongoing process to select new Olufon of Ifon.
The process to select new Olufon had commenced and was progressing until the government asked that it be suspended.
Efforts to use court to halt the process also failed as Justice Ayo Oyebiyi of an Osogbo High Court, declined granting new order, saying others earlier granted still subsisted.
The judge, in suit no: HoS/111/2021 between Prince Sulayman Akinyooye and Prince Wahabi Oyegbile and 10 others held that “Specifically, an order of Interim injunction is hereby made restraining 1st to 11th defendants from using 1978 Olufon of Ifon Chieftaincy Declaration to announce, select, appoint or approve the appointment of anyone to fill the vacant stool of Olufon of Ifon Chieftaincy pending the hearing and determination of the applicants’ motion on notice.”
Reacting to government’s decision to stop the selection process, cross section of residents that spoke with Osun Daily, said leaving Olufon’s stool vacant has slowed down the town’s development.
Alhaji Tijani Ajani and Pastor Julius Oyasope, while commenting, called on the governor, Ademola Adeleke, to immediately resume the process of appointing a new Olufon.
Ajani said, “I am an indigene of Ifon-Orolu and we heaved sigh of relief few days ago when we heard the process of appointing a new Olufon has commenced.
“But to our surprise, the process was stopped abruptly without any justification. I have been following a suit instituted on the matter since it started in 2021.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the court order was that 1979 Declaration should not be used and what people are saying is that government should go ahead and appoint new Olufon using 1988 Declaration.
“What that means is that The subsisting injunction NEVER stopped the State Government from installing Olufon with 1988. However, it only meant that processes cannot go on with 1979 Olufon Chieftaincy Declaration. Let’s government waste no more time.”
Speaking in similar vein, Oyasope, who commended Adeleke for the bold step to fill Olufon stool, said the town has lost alot because of the vacant stool.
Also commenting, Alhaja Sikira Oladimeji and Mr Abike Osuntohun, both called for speedy process to fill Olufon stool to further enhance the peace and harmonious living in the community.
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