Barely a week after youth-led protests rocked Igbogila, the town’s Council of Chiefs has expressed its readiness to settle the lingering kingship dispute out of court and fast-track the emergence of a new Olu of Igbogila.
The resolution was announced during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Leading the delegation, the Bashorun of Igbogila, Chief Akinlolu Ajibade, alongside the Akogun of Igbogila, Chief Charles Olaotan, and the Elemo of Igbogila, Chief (Br.) Semiu Bameke, affirmed that the council’s decision was driven by the desire to restore peace and stability to the community.
Recall that last Friday, some youths and community leaders, led by Chief Mrs. Olushola Adebayo, protested in Igbogila, accusing certain chiefs of fueling division and obstructing the process of selecting a new monarch.
In response, the chiefs denied the allegations, maintaining that no valid suspension had been placed on them by the late Oba Ebenezer Olanloye, adding that police investigations revealed the late monarch’s signature on the purported suspension letter was forged.
They further alleged that Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju, the member representing Yewa North Constituency 1 in the Ogun State House of Assembly, was sponsoring unrest in a bid to influence the selection process.
Speaking on the next steps, Chief Bameke (Elemo of Igbogila) disclosed that the council had already initiated moves to withdraw the case from court and reach a mutual resolution.
“After much consideration, we realized prolonging the legal battle would not serve the town’s interest,” he said. “We have therefore proposed a settlement out of court. Our goal is to reach an agreement that will be adopted as a consent judgment, allowing us to move forward with selecting a new monarch.”
