Barely 24 hours after the new Deji of Akureland was announced by the kingmakers, the family of the deposed Deji, Prince Adesina Adepoju, on Monday stormed the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, to protest against the appointment.
The kingmakers on Sunday selected Prince Kole Aladetoyinbo from Osupa Ruling Family as the new Deji of the town, among 13 Princes that contested the position.
The protesters, who were said to be members of the Osupa Ruling House, called on the Ondo State Government to ignore the selection of Prince Aladetoyinbo and reinstate the deposed Deji.
They also demanded that the installation process of Aladetoyinbo should be discontinued immediately to avert crisis and instability in the ancient town.
The protesters, who walked from Akure City Hall to the governor's office, were armed with placards with various inscription, such as 'Mimiko: bring back our Kabiyesi', 'kole Aladetoyinbo is apari; he can't become Deji', 'Iroko, save Akure from Fasonranti, Falae, kingmakers, and 'this is injustice', among others.
One of the protesters, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said market women would not accept anybody as their king except the deposed Adepoju.
Another member of the ruling family, who identified himself as Prince Dapo, told our correspondent that the selection of the new Deji to replace the deposed one, who is still alive had violated the culture and tradition of Akureland.
On getting to the Governor's office, however, there was no official of the state government to address the demonstrators but the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of A Division police station, Mr Adekimi Ojo, addressed them.
Ojo urged them to be law-abiding and promised to deliver their message to the Governor Dr Olsegun Mimiko.
The spokesman for Akure kingmakers and Asamo of Akure, Chief Rotimi Olusanya, explained that the performance of traditional rite for the new Deji would continue, saying nothing could stop the installation process .
PUNCH
