Youths and women from Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Sunday, protested what they described as distortion of the traditional process for selecting the next Oloba of Oba-Ile.

The protesters, who carried placards and marched through the community, demanded that the traditional method of selecting the monarch, which involves consultation of the Ifa oracle, be upheld.

They said the six kingmakers traditionally supervise the process and are expected to abide by the outcome of the spiritual consultation rather, than conduct an election, which they described as alien to the community’s tradition.

The protesters alleged that the kingmakers had earlier agreed to uphold whoever emerged through the established traditional process among the aspirants to the vacant stool.

They claimed that after the Ifa oracle selected a successor in the presence of the kingmakers, some individuals allegedly took them to the council secretariat at Iju-Ita Ogbolu and compelled them to conduct an election.

They described the alleged election as contrary to the tradition of Oba-Ile and called for its outcome to be discarded.

The leader of the protesters, Pastor Omoboyede Fagoroye, said the demonstration was organised to appeal to the kingmakers not to present a wrong candidate as the next Oloba.

Fagoroye said the two ruling houses: Elegbejeogbo and Omodara, had conducted spiritual consultations and produced one candidate each, adding that the kingmakers should subject the candidates to further traditional consultation.

He also expressed displeasure over the alleged inclusion of a candidate who was not part of the initial selection process, insisting that the oracle should determine the next monarch.

The protesters urged the relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene, warning that imposing a monarch through a process contrary to the customs of the community could create tension and threaten peace.

Regent of the community, Princess Foluke Agunbiade, appealed for calm and assured the protesters that the kingmakers will do justice in selecting a new monarch.

Protesters appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and security agencies to wade into the matter.

They urged the authorities to ensure that the controversy over the selection of the next Oloba does not disrupt the peace and stability enjoyed in Oba-Ile. (Nigerian Tribune, but headline reworked)