Oyo: Iseyin indigenes await new king one year after late Aseyin’s demise

Sunday 24th July, 2022, is a day that the people of Iseyin in Oke Ogun geo-political zone, Oyo state, will not forget in a hurry.

It was the day that the immediate past Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Salaudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi Ajinese 1 joined his ancestors.

The monarch bid the world farewell at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan after a protracted illness.

News reports that Iseyin is yet to have a new monarch one year after his demise.

Although the selection process has commenced, it has suffered a setback due to the demise of the Aaba Odo Aseyin (Chief Priest).

The Oro priest, Pa Ashiru Ajala Oroleye, joined his ancestors in May this year.

An Iseyin indigene who did not want his name mentioned told DAILY POST that the Chief Priest is the one that will take the new king to Ipebi alongside other priests.

He added that without the Chief Priest, the process of selecting a new monarch cannot be concluded.

“The Chief Priest is the one that will take the new king to Ipebi alongside other priests; without him, the process is not possible,” he said.

DAILY POST, however, learnt that Mr Solomon Ajeigbe has emerged as the new Aaba Odo Aseyin (Chief Priest).

A source in the town said the priest would be installed soon.

The choice of Solomon Ajeigbe to become the new Aaba Odo Aseyin by the Aaba family has given a new hope for a quick selection process of another Aseyin of Iseyin.

Ajeigbe is a transporter, married with a wife and blessed with children.

According to the Balogun Aaba Odo-Iseyin, Chief Olanrewaju Aanuoluwapo John, necessary rites that will usher in the new Aaba Odo Aseyin (Chief Priest) to his palace are ongoing.

”We thank God that we have surmounted the first hurdle towards the selection of new Aseyin of Iseyin, as a Chief under Aaba Odo-Iseyin who is the priest that will take the new Aseyin to the groove for Ipebi rites, I am delighted to tell you that we have picked the right person,” he said.

The absence of a king is being blamed for an increase in the number of criminal activities in the town.

This was confirmed by a socio-economic group in the town, Iseyin Youths Development Group (IYDG).

The group, in a statement, appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to wade into the lingering crisis bedevilling the selection of a new Aseyin of Iseyin.

National President of IYDG, Babajide Oniyo said the absence of an Aseyin, after the demise of the last occupant of the stool has caused what he called “stagnant economic development” in the town.

Oniyo in the statement titled, “Aseyin Stool so critical to be vacant: A special Appeal to the kingmakers and Stakeholders”, also called on traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun zone to end cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the zone.

He said, “The prolonged vacuum to the Aseyin throne created by the passing of Oba Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Salawudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi, Ajinese 1 almost a year ago has become a great concern to Iseyin people home and abroad, as continuance of the Royal stool’s vacancy will pose a magnificent developmental challenges to the Ancient town.

“We are much aware and treasure the fact that Iseyin has three Ruling Houses from which the throne is being rotated, viz- Akando, Ajisibi and Majaro. And very conspicuously, the last three Aseyins from Oba Moshood Osuolale Adeyeri, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Alobalowo and Oba Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Salawudeen Adekunle were from Akando, Majaro and Ajisibi ruling houses respectively.

“Hence, it’s clear that it’s the turn of Akando, going by the monarchical rotational system of Iseyin land from the time immemorial. If this is correct, we feel it should be seamless.

“This is a period when a qualified Oba is needed on the throne in the interest of Iseyinland and its environs. Apart from the insecurity ravaging Oke Ogun that requires a quick collaboration of ÒkèÒgùn Obas to address, this is a period major decisions will be taken in the state and at the Federal level, of which Aseyin should be physically present.

“Invariably, absence of an Aseyin at this critical time is tantamount to self- gagging the developments currently being experienced and enjoyed in land.

“We can all testify to the loads of developments Iseyin welcomed during the 15 year reign of late Oba Ajinese, which include the reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin Road, rehabilitation of Iseyin-Oyo road, Construction of Iseyin-Ogbomosho Road, Establishment of Lautech Iseyin Campus of Renewable Natural resources, Establishment of Federal Road Safety Corps, Iseyin Command, among others. We don’t want these to cease due to the lack of a reigning king.

“Therefore, this is a clarion call to our amiable Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to help us in Iseyin by wading into the raging crisis among the kingmakers and other stakeholders, so as to have another monarch in place within a short period.

“While we appreciate the efforts of our valuable and respected king makers in ensuring a seamless process to producing the next Royal Highness, we appeal that they bury all hatchets that could further tarry the process and make peace with one another in the kind interest of our dear origin. May God help them through the entire process and may Iseyin continue to be great.”

A former member of Oyo state House of Assembly (Iseyin/ Itesiwaju) Hon. Afeez Adeleke urged Makinde to expedite action in the process.

Adeleke, who represented the constituency between 2015 and 2019 said, “Well may Almighty Allah forgive his (late Aseyin ) shortcomings. Amin.

“You are very correct that by Monday 24th, it will be one year that His royal Majesty Oba Dr. Abduganiyu Adekunle Oloogunebi joined his ancestors.

“However, it has not been easy for an ancient town like Iseyin not to have a King since his demise.

“But we really want to appreciate the efforts put together by the high chiefs of Iseyin land by upholding the leadership responsibilities of filling the gap. May God almighty reward them abundantly.

“I will also thank the leadership of IDU for the advisory roles they demonstrated, the great indigenes of Iseyin land, you are so wonderful, supportive, efficient in cooperating with the high chiefs and those in authority.

“Finally, I will implore our amiable Governor, H. E. Seyi Makinde to expedite and intensify actions in order to install a new king in our Kingdom.

“No matter how cooperative people are, the vacuum will still be there, the power and authority given to the kings are not invested in any chief in town.

“Because of this, the royal authority is highly needed to be installed. I want His Excellency to consider it as a priority in his to-do list. May God help him.”

An Iseyin born surveyor, Dasola Adefabi appealed to the ruling houses and the kingmakers to fast-track the process.

He added that a delay in the selection of the new monarch was dangerous.

Adefabi said, “The only thing I can say is to appeal to the ruling houses and Afobaje to fast-track the process of appointing a new King, because delay is dangerous. Taking the example of Ago and Okeho, leaving the stool vacant may be dangerous for the township”.

The Ikolaba of Iseyin, High Chief Ismahil Odubiyi Tikalosoro when contacted noted that the selection process is ongoing.

Tikalosoro, who is the head of the traditional council of the local government, said that selection of a new King should not be in a hurry.

He said, “Work is ongoing. It is not something we can do in a hurry.

“We have three families. But it is the turn of Akando. There is a chieftaincy declaration. All the aspirants will come from the family.”