The Iralepo of Isinkan in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Oluwagbemiga Adimula Ojo, has maintained that he is the traditional ruler of the community, allaying the fears of being removed by the recent Appeal Court judgment.
Oba Ojo stated this while addressing chiefs, leaders of market women and other leaders of the community in his Palace on Saturday.
The monarch noted that the Iralepo stool was created and recognised by the Ondo State Government White Paper on chieftaincy matters issued in September 2022.
He was installed as the 38th Iralepo by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on July 4, 2022 following the demise of Oba Joseph Olu Ojo, the 37th traditional ruler of the town.
Thefrontrank reports that the Iralepo was upgraded to a Class C monarch under the administration of Akeredolu.
Oba Ojo described as untrue that there were plans to take over his Palace or kill him, saying the security agencies were on top of the situation.
The traditional ruler stated that no court verdict demoted or removed the Iralepo stool, saying that the stool remained intact.
According to Oba Ojo, the state government which has the prerogative rights over chieftaincy matters had issued a white paper creating and recognising the Iralepo stool.
The Iralepo of Isinkan described the selection process which led to his appointment and the presentation of his staff of office by the state government as legitimate.
The traditional ruler appealed to the indigenes of Isinkan to be law-abiding, noting that the community had approached the Supreme Court to set aside the Appeal Court judgment.
