Youths from 37 villages, under Orile-Imo in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State rejected the installation of Chief Reuben Sogaolu, as the Olu of Orile-Imo, describing his installation as imposition.
The youths’ decision was contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting, held in Orile-Imo.
The youths, alongside key stakeholders from the community, vowed to explore all peaceful and lawful means to rectify what they consider a violation of the traditional selection process.
According to the communique, the meeting was convened to address the growing discontent over the recent selection and installation of Sogaolu as the Olu of Orile-Imo.
The communique, signed by prominent figures including Chief Jimoh Olorunsogo, Chief Lukumon Ogunleye, and several youth leaders from the villages, reaffirmed the community’s collective stance against Sogaolu’s appointment and installation as monarch of the community.
They expressed their firm belief that Oba Sogaolu would eventually be ousted through legal means.
While accusing the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo for endorsing Sogaolu in disregard to the established customs and traditions of Orile-Imo, they appealed to the monarch to reconsider his decision to avoid further ridicule of the community’s heritage and uphold the integrity of the traditional selection process.
They argued that the process that led to the appointment and installation of Sogaolu did not adhere to the sacred customs governing the selection of the monarch of Orile Imo.
According to them, “the traditional procedure dictates that a candidate for the Olu’s stool must have served as a Baale (village head) within Orile Imo, possess a deep understanding of the community’s culture and traditions, periodically reside in the area, and be selected by the Imo Traditional Council, which then recommends the chosen candidate to the Alake of Egbaland”.
The communique condemned the “desecration of the established customs and traditions” by appointing Sogaolu, whom they claimed neither met the eligibility criteria nor had any meaningful connection to the community’s social or traditional life.
They noted that Sogaolu had never held any traditional title, participated in community activities, or been considered by the Imo Traditional Council as a candidate for the throne.
They condemned what they described as intimidation and oppression of those who opposed his ascension to the throne with the help of Police and officers of the Nigeria Army.
They questioned the suitability of such an individual to lead the community, given his alleged oppressive actions towards its people.
The statement partly reads, ” We condemned in strong terms the desecration of the established customs and tradition by the imposition of a non-eligible and unpopular candidate as the new Olu of Orile Imo.
“It was unanimously agreed that it was a great disrespect when Mr. Sogaolu who was never a Baale nor Chief who does not and has never participated in any activity; be it social or traditional in Orile Imo, who above all was not even considered, selected or recommended to the Alake by the Imo Traditional Council was imposed as the Olu of Orile Imo.
“That the indigenes and residents of Orile Imo, particularly the youths have vowed not to recognize Mr Sogaolu as the Olu of Orile Imo or relate with him in such capacity, as he is considered an impostor and a product of illegality”.
“That the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland is the custodian of the culture and tradition of Egbaland. He should therefore help in safeguarding our identity by desisting from dragging it to ridicule.
“That the hues and cries of the people of Orile Imo is a confirmation that he erred and should therefore ensure that the wrong done the people is promptly corrected.
“That as true indigenes of Orile Imo with deep root in the community unlike the impostor, Sogaolu, we will peacefully explore legal means to correct this illegality.
In his reaction to the allegation, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo said the appointment and installation of the monarch followed due process.
Oba Gbadebo, who spoke through the Amona Baaroyin of Egbaland, Chief Tajudeen Oladeinde, said, Oba Sogaolu was properly nominated by the Imo people and the candidature was unanimously ratified by the Egba Traditional Council, before the name was sent to the Ogun state government for approval.
He said, “due process was observed at every stage to fill the vacant stool of Olu Orile imo.
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