News

Ondo Community, LG Boss Exchange Words Over Alleged Imposition Of Monarch

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2023

The Obaship crisis in Ijare, Ifedore Council Area of Ondo State, deepened, yesterday, as stakeholders accused the council Chairman, Mr. Alex Oladimeji, of allegedly imposing a monarch on the community.

The stool of the Olujare of Ijare became vacant, two years ago, when Oba Adebamigbe Oluwagbemigun joined his ancestors.

The process of selecting a new monarch became messy following litigation arising from the illegal exclusion of some candidates to the throne including Prince Kola Oyewole

But some Ijare indigenes, in a statement, by Elder Ojo Bamidele, accused the council Chairman, Mr Oladimeji of pushing for one of the candidates, who is his cousin.

Bamidele said: “Members of the Sejeokun Ruling House have been united since the selection process started until some self-appointed adjudicators came on board in the family and wanted to deny some candidates the right to be part of the crucial stage of the process which led to litigation.”

The concerned indigenes, however, exonerated the Ondo State government from the looming chieftaincy tussle.

The statement reads: “The purported forwarding of four, out of the 13 names that applied to be Olujare and initially emplaced before the kingmakers (Afobajes), was a product of arbitrariness meant to unlawfully, nay illegally, exclude the names of candidates that are believed to constitute a threat to the candidates some cabals want to desperately force on the people.

“It is heartwarming that aggrieved stock of the Sejeokun Ruling House, the Olukekere/Osunpamisi descendants, has gone to court to challenge the purported illegal suspension of Chief Aarinmo, the unlawful exclusion of his candidate, Prince Kola Oyewole, and the moonlight frivolous narratives that seek to dislocate the inextricable link the Olukekere/Osunpamisi stock of Sejeokun Ruling House has to the Olujare stool.

“Traditionally, it is within the purview of the kingmakers to choose the Olujare, and the leader of the distinguished Chiefs has cautioned himself from embarking on illegality by processing the four selective candidates sent to him, on the receipts of letters of complaints of unlawful exclusion and court processes contesting the legality of the advancement.

“Permit us to state, very unequivocally, that the government of Ondo State has since distanced itself from being dragged into legitimizing illegality, as the Chairman of Ifedore Local Government, Mr Alex Oladimeji, who is prejudicially pushing for one of the candidates that is his cousin, has made the whole world to believe.

“We also call on the leadership of the Ijare Egbe Omo Elewe Obi to be guided by all the documents before it, and to prevail on elements within it to desist from supporting any initiative that could illegally exclude any of the candidates as the unity of all Ijare indigenes is paramount, even as posterity stands very advantageously to judge the present.”

But in a swift response, the council Chairman, Mr Oladimeji cautioned the stakeholders not to drag him into the wrangling saying he has no power to impose a new monarch on the town considering various chieftaincy laws in the state.

Oladimeji said: “I need to respond to this because all they wrote against me is a blatant lie.

“As a local government Chairman, rules and regulations are guiding the selection of Obas, not only in my community (Ijare). All communities have their declaration/laws that govern them and there is an Ondo State Chieftaincy Law. Nobody can influence me and there is no way I can influence anybody to emerge as the King or force anybody on my town,” VANGUARD quoted him.

News

INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

16 minutes ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

5 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

16 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.