A prince and contestant for the vacant stool of Kobowore of Odojobore Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Olusegun Olusola Ogunbanjo, has decried his “deliberate” exclusion from the selection process of new monarch for the community.
Ogunbanjo equally accused the officials of the Odogbolu LG of skewing the selection process by nominating his immediate elder brother, Olufemi Ogunbanjo, who is based in the United Kingdom as the sole candidate for the vacant stool.
Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Ogunbanjo said that the nomination and selection process held on January 11 and supervised by the LG officials, was not only a sham but failed to follow due process as stipulated by the Chief laws of the state.
He said that rather than the local government officials led by the Secretary to the Local Government to play an observation role as stipulated, they nominated his elder brother as a sole candidate, selected him and even declared him as the Oba-elect.
Ogunbanjo, who is based in the United States of America explained that he had received a call sometime in January, 2023 from the Lisa (Regent) of Odobore Community, Chief Jimoh Shittu, who asked him to come home and take over the stool of his forebears.
He said that since he belongs to the Adeleye Family of Sapenuwa Ruling House, the next to produce the new monarch of the town, he wrote a formal application to declare his interest in the vacant stool, which was received and signed by the Olisa, who is the head of the kingmakers.
“As at April 25, 2023, when my formal application had been received and signed by Olisa as the head of the kingmakers, and my nomination was given a nod, I was the sole candidate for the stool. But things took a twist when my immediate elder brother, Olufemi Ogunbanjo, who had more than three times declined interest in the stool, showed up six months after I had been called upon by the community during an event.
“On January 11, 2024, Odogbolu Local Government, after the expiration of the 40 days notice, decided to send down officials into our community to observe the selection and nomination process slated for the date. But at the event where the Chairman of Odogbolu LG was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, my brother was presented as a sole candidate from the family and I, whose my application had been received since April last year was excluded from the selection process.
“And when I raised my hand to object to the selection of my brother as the sole candidate, the LG officials abruptly ended the programme. Instead of playing an observation role as stipulated by the Chief laws of the state, the LG officials refused to acknowledge other eligible candidates for the stool, they just presented my brother as the sole candidate and declared him as Oba-elect. When I protested the sham, I was harassed and was nearly beaten up by the miscreants purposely planted at the venue of the event. I was rescued from possible bodily harm by some security personnel”, Ogunbanjo stated.
While faulting the selection and nomination process which according to him was skewed to favour a particular candidate, he appealed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun and the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona to wade into the matter and ensure that all the eligible candidates participate in the selection process for the new Kobowore of Odojobore Community.
Ogunbanjo, who disclosed that he will seek redress in the court of law, if necessary, declared that his interest in the royal stool remained intact and ready to abide by the laid down procedures to select a new monarch.