Both Indigenes and non Indigenes , young and Old today gathered on a peaceful protest at Ijare, a community in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State in solidarity to the state government,to as a matter of urgency, install the traditional ruler of the town , choosed and accepted by all ,in the community.
In a statement cum appeal letter made available to Journalists on Monday after the peaceful protest, the citizens appeal for prompt installation of their king.
In the statement, Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi has been picked by the kingmakers and well accepted to all and sundry in the ancient town to be the next king after the demise of the late King years back
The Statement :
AN ADDRESS TO THE ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT AUTHORITIES ON THE FORMAL INSTALLATION OF THE OLUJARE OF IJARE
Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State,
The Chairman, Ifedore Local Government,
The Kingmakers and Royal Family of Ijare,
Distinguished sons and daughters of Ijare.
We, the entire sons and daughters of Ijare; including our children, students, youths, men and women, and elders have gathered today to peacefully express our concerns regarding the prolonged delay in the formal enthronement and installation of Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi as the Olujare of Ijare, whom the majority of the Ijare community has openly chosen and supported as its preferred traditional ruler. We wish to make one matter very clear: Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi did not forcefully install himself as the Olujare of Ijare, nor did he single-handedly declare himself king. His emergence has been accompanied by expressions of support from we the people of the community. The people who are gathered here today are exercising their right to express their preference and their desire for the traditional institution of Ijare to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with applicable law, customs and traditions.
The event of 15 April 2025, which has been widely discussed within the community, was understood by many Ijare people as a public declaration of support for Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi’s emergence and eventual installation as Olujare. We understand that some kingmakers and chiefs were also present and participated in, or acknowledged, that process. Since then, however, the community has witnessed petitions, disagreements and other disputes arising from the kingship process. These developments have contributed to prolonged uncertainty and tension within Ijare. We respectfully appeal to the State Government, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice to urgently intervene within the bounds of the law and help bring this matter to a peaceful and lawful conclusion.
Your Excellency, we respectfully remind the Government that every community has its own culture, history and traditional institutions. Ijare is a community with a deep-rooted culture and traditional heritage. We therefore appeal that the customs and traditions of Ijare be given appropriate consideration alongside the relevant laws governing chieftaincy matters in Ondo State.
Your Excellency sir, the prolonged kingship dispute has, in our view, created significant tension and uncertainty in the community. We are deeply concerned about reports of deaths among some of our youths within the past few weeks, seven youths dead mysteriously, as well as reports of unusual occurrences and voices within the community which some residents have interpreted through a spiritual or traditional lens. We do not wish to make unverified accusations against any individual. Rather, we call on the relevant authorities to take the situation seriously and ensure that peace, security and the wellbeing of residents are protected. The uncertainty surrounding the traditional institution is also affecting social and economic activities in Ijare. We are concerned about the impact on businesses, agriculture, community development and the ability of the community to effectively engage with government and other development partners.
We therefore respectfully appeal to Your Excellency, the Ondo State Government, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ifedore Local Government Council, the kingmakers, chiefs, royal families and all contestants to put the interest of Ijare above individual interests and work together towards a lawful, peaceful and acceptable resolution of the kingship matter. We particularly appeal to all other contenders to accept the outcome of the lawful process, whatever that outcome may ultimately be, and to avoid any action capable of further dividing or destabilising our community.
We also appeal to Prince Adebolujo Adegboyegun and his supporters to refrain from any action or statement that may further heighten tension in Ijare. We urge every party involved to allow the appropriate authorities and traditional institutions to resolve the matter peacefully and according to the law.
Most importantly, we want the Government and the people of Ondo State to understand that our presence here today is not the result of bribery, inducement or coercion by Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi. We are here because we, as members of the Ijare community, believe that the prolonged absence of a formally installed king has gone on for too long and requires urgent resolution. We further state that, to the best of our knowledge and understanding, Prince Adekolajo Aladeseyi was not responsible for organising or compelling this peaceful expression of community concern. We are here voluntarily to make our position known and to appeal to the appropriate authorities.
Our appeal is simple: Let there be peace in Ijare, let the law be respected, let our culture and traditions be respected, let the legitimate traditional process be completed, and let Ijare have a duly recognised and formally installed Olujare through a process that complies with the applicable law and customs.
We respectfully call on the Ondo State Government to urgently facilitate dialogue among the concerned parties and take every lawful step necessary toward resolving the kingship dispute and bringing lasting peace to Ijare.
We want peace!
We want unity!
We want development!
We want a king!
We want Ijare to move forward!
May peace return fully to Ijare, and may the Government and all stakeholders find a just and lawful resolution to this matter.
Long live Ijare Community.
Long live Ondo State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed :
Inumidun Adu (Ijare Youth President
Seun Omolaye( Fin sec)
Bode Ajibulu ( Member )
Olaniyi Osayanbu (member)
