By Jacob Akintunde
Estate developer and businessman, Benson Akingbaso has been elected as the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre in Idanre Local Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This is coming almost four years after the demise of late Olusegun Ayodele Akinbola, who joined his ancestors on October 16, 2020 at the age of 80.
The selection and election contested in the community on Monday by Benson Akingbaso and Akinboro Toba have put an end to several attempts to elect a new ruler without success.
Speaking after the election, the Regent and Lisa of Alade-Idanre, Oladipo Akinsowon, said Akingbaso scored 12 votes while Akinboro had 3 votes noting that the selection process was in line with the tradition of the town.
Akinsowon who is also the Head of the Community’s Kingmakers, justified that the former monarch was installed through the ballot process, saying, “After the voting, the outcome shows that Otunba Benson Akingbaso has 12 votes while Prince Akinboro Toba had three votes and in view of this, I therefore declare Akingbaso as the Oba-elect.
“After this process, we will write the local government that Alade has identified who-will-be Oba of this kingdom, so that after that, we will hold another meeting where the secretary of the LG to confirm the appointment.
“Thereafter, a letter will be written through my office as the regent and the principal officer of the king makers, to them, confirming the appointment, copy of which will go to the chieftiancy commission in Akure. Afterwards, the traditional people will then come together as headed by my office and will then go to the process of installation.
He stressed that the town was long overdue for a new monarch since the demise of Oba Akinbola who was one of the pioneering producers of the popular sitcom, village headmaster, created in 1968 by the late Ambassador Segun Olusola.
Addressing the people of his community after his election, the Oba-elect, Akingbaso promised to foster peace, unite of his community, restore moral values, and bring development and linkages. He, however, urged his subjects to come together for the rapid development of the town.
