The crisis rocking Ojo-Ajowa Community, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State over traditional stool, has deepened.
This was as majority indigenes of the community cried out to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, alleging that those they accommodated in the community are now contesting the stool of Olojo of Ojo Ajowa Akoko with the indigenous native people of the community.
Jacob Adegoke, the Baba Eto of Uro kingdom in Ojo-Ajowa community, while addressing newsmen on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure said that Obaro Akila was the first Olojo of Ojo with his people in 1700-1777 administrative arrangement put in place in the settlement referred to as Ojo.
Adegoke said; “thereafter, some people from different areas came to seek refuge in Ojo during the reign of the 3rd Olojo of Ojo, Oba Olaremu Fajuwon, 1778 -1838. They were granted assylum and were put in different locations round the seat of power at Aremu.
“Obaro Akila was a great warrior, hence, his settlement attracted people for protection. Aremu community has been producing Oba since time memorial.
“Ironically, it is very spirit of accommodating latitude, this very emblem of expressive hearing which is now being used by interlopers to contest Ojo space with the Indigenous native people. So many lies are being packaging to justify their claims for joint ownership of Ojo space changing stories to justify their imaginary claims.
“With their imaginary supporters in the ministry, documents in Olojo of Ojo chieftaincy file were removed. Sudden disappearance of some Ojo documents submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs.
“Why should people and the Ministry of Local Government rely on sentiments when facts and evidences are available. We are relying on facts and evidences and not sentiments.
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“To all Aremu people, 17th of October, 2023 was a black day in the history of Ojo when a kangaroo declaration was illegally made to snatch away the right of the indigenous native people of Ojo”.
Oluwasegun Ojo, a prince from the community also said; “the white paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission Report which was approved by Ondo State Government confirmed the 3 ruling houses; Awarinajo, Awarin Oji, and Awarin Olofa.”
According to him, when the last Olojo of Ojo departed to the great beyond, the three ruling houses met and selected his daughter as regent in line with their long aged custom and tradition.
Ojo maintained that; “the asylum seekers on our land are presenting a male regent outside the ruling houses and a certain people in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs are supporting this illegal move against our custom and tradition.”
They, however, called on the state government to protect their regent, Princess Sarah Adewale, the daughter of the departed monarch of the town, Timothy Adewale, who joined his ancestors in 2023, stressing that they don’t want male regent again.
“We are also appealing to the state government to follow the previous declaration in picking new Oba for our community,” the community said.
