Elders and concerned people of Iloko, Egbe, have risen in defense of the newly appointed Oba of Iloko, Oba Adesoji Aro, asserting that the monarch was duly nominated by the four clans of Iloko.
In a statement jointly signed by Chief Dare Joseph Folorunsho, the Ologun of Iloko, and Elder Oladipo Agbonwo, the elders confirmed that Oba Adesoji Aro performed all the traditional rites, including at the Irele shrine.
Their defense was in reaction to claims that Oba Adesoji Aro’s appointment was politically motivated.
“When there were claims and counter claims with petitions and fictitious messages to the Kogi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the government decided to set up two separate committees to investigate the matter and Adesoji Aro was successful at the committees level.
“During the last committee sitting that took place in Lokoja, each of the four clans was asked to come with two representatives. Out of the eight representatives, Adesoji Aro had five, while Odebola Julius Odeyemi had three.
“The state government set up the committees after Elegbe of Egbe dissociated himself from the purported Okun Area Traditional Council recommendations (which claimed that the Elegbe was present with signature) with a letter written to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, claiming that he was neither present nor signed any nomination paper.
“After due diligence the government as the employer will issue the letter of appointment to who is the most qualified and that is exactly what Kogi State Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has done by the appointment of Oba Adesoji Aro as the duly elected Oba of Iloko,” the elders explained.
However, a section of indigenes are still insisting that Odebola Julius Odeyemi was the duly nominated candidate for the Obaloko stool, having satisfied all traditional and customary processes.
They claimed his nomination was endorsed by the Iloko Community, ratified by the Yagba West Traditional Council, and recommended by the Okun Area Traditional Council to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
