Mopa Traditional Council throws weight behind Oba Ibeun, says the process of his emergence is credible and in line with tradition
By Olugbemi Femi – Lokoja
Contrary to media reports orchestrated by some of the contestants into the revered stool of Elulu of Mopa, casting aspersion on the process leading to the installation and coronation of His Royal Majesty, Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun as the 4th Elulu of Mopaland recently, the community traditional council has come out to fault their claims, said all free-born of Mopa land from any of the communities within Mopa are qualified to vie for the stool.
Speaking at a Press Conference yesterday held at the Palace of Elulu in Mopa, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State where most of the issues raised by the aggrieved parties were addressed by the council under the leadership of Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun.
According to them, the Mopa community consist of two axis, Odole and Ileteju with 9 communities and it is their practice that when any Elulu joins the ancestors as it happened now, the late Elulu Oba Joledo was from the Odole axis, it is expected that Ileteju will produce next Elulu in line with the culture.
The current Elulu is from the Ikeji community from the Ileteju axis, and anyone claiming to be the owner of the throne should provide evidence to back up their claims.
They said by their culture and traditions, anytime the stool is vacant and the burial rights are concluded, each of the communities through their monarchs produces a kingmaker to represent their communities in the council for the selection of the new Elulu, pointing out that in line with this arrangement, the 9 kingmakers were inaugurated to commence its work from calling for nominations, screening, prayers and the eventual emergence of Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun.
The monarch of the Odole community, Oba (Barr.) Bayo James said despite being wrong for a contestant to be kingmaker in the case of Oba David Ajolore, he was allowed to nominate a kingmaker to represent him and that of his community in the selection process, stressing that none of the monarchs influenced the process to favour any of the contestants rather it is the wish of God to give the community, Oba Ibeun being a bonafide son of the community who possess the cognate resumes, experience and capacity to lead the community to greater heights.
He noted that it is not too late for Oba David Ajolore and others who went to court to retrace their steps and return home for peace and unity to prevail in the community, stressing that Oba Ibeun has come to reign in the community.
Comrade Olorunfemi Temitope Olorunshola, Kingmaker from Iloke Patia and other kingmakers who spoke at the press conference said that they are surprised Emmanuel Ajolore who is the immediate younger brother of one of the contestants scored Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun 72 marks, wondering why he is changing his mind on a process that he was fully involved in.
The monarch of Okedagun Odole and Balogun of Mopa, Oba Clarence Olafemi said it is wrong for some people from Iloke Ileteju to claim ownership of the Elulu stool anytime it is the turn of Ileteju axis to produce, stressing that one Famodile who addressed Press Conference in Abuja lack the locus standing to speak on behalf of the traditional council and the community on any issue not even the Chieftaincy stuff.
The representative of Ikeji Development Initiative, Comrade Femi Ojo said the Iloke Patia community should not lose sight of the 1989 agreement where 18 prominent elders were constituted including Pa Ige Ajolore who is the father of Oba Iloke, David Ajolore to look into the issue of rotating arrangements.
He said the elders agreed that when the next Elulu stool is vacant and it is the turn of Ileteju, the Ikeji community should be considered, hence the emergence of Oba Ibeun is in line with the 1989 agreement of the elders, pointed out that if Iloke Patia have contrary claims, they should show it.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Mopa land, Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun said he has no issue with the Iloke community rather it is some individuals within that community that have personal issues, stressing that his immediate preoccupation is to unite his people, promote peace and development of the entire Mopa land and Mopamuro local government area.
According to him, he extended hands of fellowship to his co-contestants immediately after he came on board, and some of them are already with him, while one of two is said to be aggrieved, despite that he attended the wedding program of one of them said to be aggrieved for him to know that he is ready to work with him.
He said those who have gone to court still have the opportunity of retracing their steps by withdrawing the case and coming back to join hands with the council under his leadership to move the community forward. He noted that Mr Famodile can’t speak on Mopa Chieftaincy matters because he is not a chief and his father was never one, hence whatever he says holds no water.
