By Dare Akogun
A Prince from Erin-Ile town Joel Omokanye, has called on the Governor of Kwara State, Mal. Abdurahman Abdulrasaq, to intervene in the ongoing selection process for a new Elerin of Erin-Ile.
The appeal comes amidst allegations of a biased and lopsided selection process, raising concerns of potential chaos and anarchy in the community.
It would be recalled that the late Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola Ibrahim, passed away in May 2023, sparking interest from about 30 princes vying for the throne.
Prince Omokanye, while speaking to newsmen, expressed dissatisfaction with the current selection process, citing confusion and discontent among the youth, women, and elders of the town.
According to him, the crux of the matter lies in the improper constitution of the Afobaje, the traditional kingmakers.
He highlighted the exclusion of prominent families like the Inurin and Odofin from the selection process, raising questions about the legitimacy of the upcoming ruler.
“The majority of us are not happy with the selection process,” Prince Omokanye emphasized. “If we don’t have the right people as Afobaje, how will they produce a king that will be accepted by everybody?”, he queried.
This omission, according to Prince Omokanye, raises serious concerns about the fairness and integrity of the selection process, calling into question the credibility of the future ruler.
The prince thereafter appealed to Governor Abdulrazaq to halt the selection process and send an independent fact-finding team to Erin-Ile for a thorough investigation.
He also urged the government to ensure that due process is followed and the voices of all stakeholders are heard before proceeding with the installation of a new Elerin.
