The Perebiri Ruling House of Agadagba stool at Arogbo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State has urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to prevail to stop illegal installation of a new monarch in the riverine community.
While addressing a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure today, the Secretary of the ruling house, Prince Roinland Oriamaja, who led other members, kicked against the emergence of one Chief Zacheus Doubra Egbunnu as Agadagba-elect.
The stool of the first class traditional ruler, Agadagba of Arogbo, has been vacant since the demise of the last king, Pere D.M.E Eperetun in February 2007.
Oriamaja disclosed that the stool has been subjected to series of litigations, which some are still pending in court, while the Peribi House is a judgment creditor in Suit No: HOK/1M/2009.
He alleged that some persons were making efforts to subvert the Chieftaincy Law and order of succession to the throne by creating Perebiyenmo Ruling House, which he said was a contravention against the customs and traditions of the community.
The Secretary lamented that the Ese-Odo LGA and some influential persons disregarded the judicial process by electing Egbunnu as Agadagba-elect at a meeting last Saturday, and to be crowned within 14 days.
"Some mischief makers in and outside government, for selfish interests, are misinforming the government and using the cloak of government to brew crisis in Arogbo Ibe on the subject of the Agadagba of Arogbo Chieftaincy," he said.
He disclosed that armed security personnel, including soldiers and naval officers, were deployed to the community allegedly by Chief Bibopere Ajube, whose cronies and allies supported Egbunnu.
"It smacks off reason that Mr. Donald Ojogo, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, who is not the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs attended the meeting and purported election as a representative of the state government.
"It is manifest that he is in collaboration with Chief Bibopere Ajube to set the Arogbo Ibe on fire over the Agadagba vacant stool," he said, describing it "as an affront on the judicial process and is condemned in strong terms."
The Perebiri Ruling House emphasized that pending the outcome of the matter in court, its members would continue to be law-abiding citizens, saying "we won't fight; whosoever it favours, we will support. We are all brothers."
The indigenes implored Governor Akeredolu to "call to order all its agents and their cronies in order to avoid a breakdown of law and order over an attempt to impose Chief Doubra Egbunnu as Agadagba-elect."
But the Commissioner, Ojogo, dispelled the allegations against the government and its functionaries, saying the emergence of Egbunnu as the Agadagba-elect was in accordance with the Chieftaincy Law and tradition of the community.
He acknowledged the fact that he was present during the meeting where a new Agadagba-elect was picked but stressed that "I didn't go there as a Commissioner, I went there as a member of the ruling house.
