•The Elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Rev. Mother (Dr) Esther Abimbola Ajayi.
The Emiolu Royal Family of Iresa-Adu in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State has warned a contestant for the Aresa-Adu stool, Prince Bayo Kayode, to stop dropping the name of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the selection process.
The warning was contained in a Save Our Souls (SOS) statement issued on Tuesday in Iresa-Adu and signed by Prince Olayode Timothy Oladipo, on behalf of the Emiolu Royal Family. A copy of the press release was made available to journalists.
According to the family, the warning became necessary following reports that Kayode plans to use Obasanjo’s name to lobby Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to impose him as the next traditional ruler of the town.
The family also alleged that Kayode had enlisted the Founder and Spiritual Head of Love of Christ Generation Church (C&S) Worldwide, Rev. Mother (Dr) Esther Abimbola Ajayi, to help secure the elder statesman’s support.
The statement reads in part: “The warning has become necessary as ‘the usurper’ becomes highly exigent in view of the latest report reaching the family that he has concluded plans to drop former President Obasanjo’s name to assist him to lobby the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde to force him on the family towards becoming the next traditional ruler of the town.”
Prince Oladipo said the family has it on good authority that Kayode allegedly recruited the cleric for the purpose.
He urged the public to disregard attempts to foist Kayode on the town and called for a thorough investigation to ensure only a bona fide member of the royal lineage emerges as monarch.
The family reminded Obasanjo of how he handled the replacement of the Olowu of Owu Egba without acrimony, noting that as a bona fide son of Owu Kingdom, he never allowed a non-blood-related person to occupy the sacred stool.
“We want former President Obasanjo to perfectly remember that even himself, as an original and bonafide son of Owu Kingdom, both home and in diaspora, never allowed a non-blood related personality occupy the sacred stool of Owu Kingdom. If however, Baba Obasanjo cannot allow such desecration of an Obaship stool, we are confident that President Olusegun Obasanjo will definitely chase Bayo Kayode away from spoiling his reputation,” the statement said.
“The Baba Obasanjo that we know, is a mandate of culture; a thorough bred Yoruba elder, who values the sacred sacredness of the Obaship institution and as such, would not support Bayo Kayode on this evil journey,” it added.
The family cited Obasanjo’s respect for traditional institutions, recalling how he prostrated before the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
“We have seen on several occasions, when former President Obasanjo would prostrate; tummy flat, for the Kabiyesis in Yorubaland. An example was when he paid homage to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi when Kabiyesi was new on the throne.
“The stool of an Aresa-Adu is one of the most revered stools among the Obaship institution in Yorubaland. Somebody like Bayo Kayode, who is not related by blood to that stool should not be supported ignorantly and coerce the Oyo State government to install our new King,” the statement said.
The family further alleged: “It is on this premise we urge you not to allow yourself to fall for that Bayo Kayode’s trick. This personality had in recent times, posted you on his Facebook page for the purpose of deceiving all unsuspecting members of the public that you are his ‘backbone’, even when the council of Aresa-Adu Kingmakers are still busy working on the selection processes.”
The Emiolu Royal Family also urged Rev. Mother Ajayi to be wary of being used by persons of dubious character.
The family, however, expressed satisfaction with unconfirmed reports that the Oyo State Government has placed an embargo on the selection process and directed all parties to restart the process.
“Let all contestants come and prove their lineage with Aresa Adu, and the right genuine person emerge for the peace and progress of Aresa Adu; Surulere LG and Oyo State in general,” the press release concluded.
