The Mopa Traditional Council in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State has clarified the controversy thrown up by the Concerned Mopa Senior Citizens raised during their purported press conference held in Abuja on the Elulu Mopa dispute, pointing out that there are no ruling houses in Mopa land rather it is a rotation arrangement between the Odole and Ileteju Axis of the community.
According to the information signed by the Secretary of the Council, Chief Alaiyemo Durojaiye Stephen, the Olu Ilaro of Mopa Land and made available to newsmen, it described them as a group that have disconnected themselves from their roots and far from the reality on the ground in Mopa as of today, stressing that the community has moved on, leaving them behind in their illusions.
According to the statement, the traditional council ordinarily would not have bothered to dignify them with any response to their fabricated lies, response is necessary to keep the reading public in the know of the true position of things as regards the emergence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the 4th Elulu of Mopa land.
According to him, the entire Aku community participated in the selection process until their preferred candidate was unsuccessful on February 6, 2024. Following his disappointment, he quickly approached the court, seeking to overturn the outcome through legal means to hijack the revered stool.
He said the Council will continue to reaffirm the rotation principle between Odole and Ileteju axis as the foundation for various aspects of Mopa’s traditional governance.
He noted that the rotational system is reflected in the strategic location of traditional council buildings in both Odole and Ileteju areas, which have been in use for generations, stressing that the council’s stance underscores the importance of the rotational principle in maintaining balance and harmony within the traditional setup.
“By adhering to this system, the council aims to ensure fair representation and participation from both areas in the governance of Mopa.
The statement further revealed that there has been no formal declaration since 1916 regarding the formation of Imopapo, later renamed Mopa, by communities coming together.
However, a significant agreement was reached in 1987 between communities in Ileteju axis specifying that the Ikeji community would be next in line to produce the Elulu of Mopa, as it was deemed their turn, asserting that the traditional leadership and succession in Mopa don’t have any controversy as being peddled by the group.
He said the people claiming to own a ruling house are currently residing on Ikeji land.
“The people complaining today know the truth because they know that they came to meet the Ikeji community on their land in 1911 before the communities agreed to live together in 1916. In fact the people are still residing on the same land up till today”
He noted that when the late Elulu, Oba Julius Joledo appointed Pa Iyagin as the Otunba of Mopa, from Ipatia, after his demise, late Oba Joledo still went ahead to appoint the immediate past Otunba David Olojo from Ilegemo because of the little disagreement he has with Ikeji community.
The Ikeji community protested the appointment which is against the implementation of the agreement of 1987, went to court in 2005 to challenge late Oba Joledo actions, pointed out that the statement of defences filed by late Elulu exposed the entire lies put together to work against the Ikeji community, stressing that Oba Julius Joledo himself retraced his steps by restoring all the traditional rights of Ikeji community which made him to recommend the Oba of Ikeji for grading in 2021, which has been effected, now a grade 3 Chiefs in Kogi State.
He emphasized that the protests led for the call for a roundtable settlement where it was resolved and agreed that the Ikeji community should wait to take their turn in the next Elulu stool which has now produced His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun from Ikeji lineage.
He also noted that Ipatia and Ilegemo are not clan or ruling houses, they are exist along with others in Ileteju axis of Mopa land. The following communities are made up of Ileteju axis: 1. Ayinaku, 2. Patia-Iloke, 3. Ilegemo – Iloke, 4. Ikeji, 5. Ijagbe communities.
He further stressed that the allegation of the council bribing the judge cannot stand as it is their lawyer that always boasts about his special connections within the Koton Karfe Court.
He said their antics to intimidate and blackmail the judiciary to deceive and get the buy-in of the institution have been exposed, hence at appropriate time they will be called for questioning.
He said at no time did the Elulu have any discussion or invite the Ohimege of Koton Karfe and Maigeri of Lokoja to interfere in the ongoing court case, adding that it is laughable that the group continues to swim in their illusions.
The statement further clarified that the alleged political office holders whom the group claimed are interfering were Elulu friends long before he was appointed, adding that despite their closeness there have been no discussions about the court case.
He further stressed that their interactions have been limited to official engagements, with the full knowledge that His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun was dully appointed as the Elulu of Mopaland by Kogi State Government
He said the Mopa Concerned Senior Citizens might be building their false hope on the fact one Mr. Michael Ajayi was involved in Governor Ododo’s campaign visit, which the group believes has given them leverage with the governor, adding that the perceived political connection has nothing to do with the emergence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun as the Elulu of Mopa
