By Precious Oluwole

Indigenes of Ojo town in Ajowa – Akoko, Akoko North West Local Govt area of Ondo State have cried out to the state government, alleging that those they accommodated are now contesting the stool of Olojo of Ojo Ajowa Akoko with the indigenous native people.

According to Baba Eto of Uro kingdom in Ojo -Ajowa, Chief Jacob Adegoke who addressed the newsmen on Tuesday at a press conference in Akure said that Oba 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.

He added that “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”.

“Oba 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”.

“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”.

“The chieftaincy declaration made in 1957, registered on April 8, 1958 approved Awarinajo, Awarin Oji and Awarin Olofa as the 3 rulling houses”.

“When the last Olojo of Ojo departed to the great beyond, the 3 rulling houses met and selected his daughter as Regent in line with our age long custom and tradition”.

“The asylum seekers on our land are presenting a male regent outside the rulling houses and a certain people in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs are supporting this illegal move against our custom and tradition”.

Chief Adegoke alongside with two other elders, Mr Akinyemi Bolanle and Hon. Oluwasegun Ojo who spoke on behalf of the indigenes of the community, stressed that their tolerance of non-indigenes should not be taken for granted.

They, however, called on the state government to protect their regent, Princess Sarah Adewale, the daughter of the departed monarch of the town, Oba Timothy Adewale, who joined his ancestors in 2023, stressing that they don’t want male regent again.

They also appealed to the state government to follow the previous declaration in picking new Oba for the community.