Awujale stool: Protest rocks Ijebu Ode over imposition plot
A peaceful protest broke out on Friday in Ijebu Ode over alleged plans to impose the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The protesters marched through Awujale Palace Road on their way to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat to register their displeasure over the development.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the Awujale selection process following a flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.
Speaking on reports suggesting government interference, the regent said that the kingmakers are unaware of any such move and that such reports should be treated as mere speculation.
He added that the kingmakers are fully aware of the weight of their responsibility and would therefore not betray the confidence reposed in them by tolerating any act of imposition.
On Wednesday, the DSS confirmed that the 95 nominees were scheduled for profiling at their office in Ijebu-Ode. The exercise was planned to follow palace screening and run over several days to cover all nominees. The profiling is part of a comprehensive vetting process for aspirants to the Awujale stool.
However, the exercise was suspended in line with the state government’s directive halting the Awujale selection process. The DSS stressed that the suspension is a government decision and not an action initiated by the agency.
Punch