Tension As Ondo Monarch Announces Death Of Rival Monarch
There is tension in the Ikare community as the Olukare of Ikare Akoko in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Akadiri Momoh, officially announced the death of a rival monarch, Oba Samuel Adegbite Adedoyin, who died on Tuesday last week.
In a letter by the Olukare to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to intimate him and the general public on the death of Owa Ale, he referred late Adedoyin as a “High Chief”.
Oba Momoh, in the letter in which the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Chairman of the Akoko North-East were copied, said the late traditional chief died at the age of 85.
The letter read: “I wish to convey to you the death of one of my High Chiefs in Ikare Akoko to wit: The Ale, the Quarters Chief for Iyometa quarters, High Chief Samuel Adegbite Adedoyin
“High Chief Adegbite Adedoyin was appointed by my forefather, Oba Amusa Momoh III in 1972, at the Olukare’s palace, he became a regent in 1976 after the death Oba Amusa Momoh III.
“He died at the age of 85 on the 1st September 2020.
“The above is expedient considering the tradition and custom of Ikare Akoko, to formally bring this to the notice of the general public and the government.
“I rely on your cooperation and I assure you of my highest regards”.
But the regent of Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko appointed to oversee traditional affairs of the community pending the selection of a new Oba, Princess Aderinsola Olabisi Adedoyin, said the contents of the letter by the Olukare was strange.
Princess Olabisi is the first daughter of the late Owa-Ale and she relocated from abroad to be installed as regent after the death of her father.
According to her, “That letter is strange to the tradition of Ikare as both the government and people of Ikare recognised Owa-Ale as the traditional ruler of Ikare from time immemorial.
“No past Owa-Ale has ever been appointed by the Olukare but it was Owa-Ale that used to appoint Olukare as his Chief in post-colonial times. The Olukare family is warned to desist from any acts that would breach the peace of the community.”
Traditional rites for the late monarch are still on.
(The Nation)