Enforce A Transparent Selection Process,’ Candidates For Eleruwa Position Tells Governor Makinde

Some of the contestants jostling for the position of the Eleruwa have rejected the results of the selection process by the kingmakers, faulting that it was manipulated in favour of the formerly dethroned king.

It was gathered that 18 people indicated interest to become the Eleruwa of Eruwa from the Akalakoyi ruling house, following the legal battle that led to the sack of Adegbola by the Supreme Court.

Dissatisfied by the position of the kingmakers, contestants from the Sangotola/Fasina Ruling House of the Akalakoyi Dynasty on Tuesday condemned the process totally.

In a statement jointly released by the eleven contestants from the Sangotola/Fasina royal house, the spokesperson, Prince Suberu Olanrewaju Oloyede, called for urgent cancellation of the selection of Prince Adegbola, accusing the umpires and the local government of manipulations.

“No doubt, the Kingmakers played foul, they scripted a mischievous dramatic performance all through, nobody screened us, all we just heard was that, they have selected someone. Not even a person that is neutral or fresh, the same person that was removed by the apex judicial body in the country. The system is faulty and should not be allowed in our society,” Prince Olanrewaju Oloyede said.

Expressing disappointment over the process, he said the government has failed in their own parts by conniving with the kingmakers in what could be termed as a manipulative skewing process. What is the criteria used in the selection? We should at least know the prerequisite used to have selected him of all the eighteen candidates that were nominated from the Akalakoyi royal lineages.

In a traditional setting, due process must be followed in the selection of a king. Kingship position isn’t just something you wake up and tell the people you have chosen at midnight. It’s a respected position that requires a fair and transparent process.

Prince Oloyede called on Governor Seyi Makinde, the ministry of local government and Chieftancy matters in the state to order a fresh process without alterations.

Efforts to reach out to the Kingmakers as of the time of publication proved abortive.