From grace to grass: Monarch chased out of palace

 

Angry natives of Igburowo community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday chased away their paramount ruler, Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewole from his palace over alleged gross
corruption and
indiscipline. The action was witnessed by a large number of kinsmen, who trooped out to show their disapproval for his alleged sins.
The protest, which began at about 6.00a.m, involved chiefs and prominent citizens of the community, who expressed their feelings in songs over the alleged misrule of the traditional ruler, which they claimed had brought shame and disrespect to the community.
The villagers had earlier written a protest letter dated August 3, 2012, which was signed by about 21 of their representatives representing various interest groups, including high chiefs, female chiefs, otherwise called Opoji in local parlance, as well as male and female natives, members of Igburowo Development Committee (IDC), youth association and the secretary of the Akinbumiti Ruling House.
The letter was addressed to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. They demanded that the Oba vacate the throne over some atrocities allegedly perpetrated in the community.
According to the letter, the monarch who bears the title of Akamuja of Igburowoland, was accused of forceful acquisition of land belonging to his subjects, frivolous litigation over subjects’ property, non-performance of traditional rites and assault on his chiefs and subjects. Other alleged crimes include connivance with an indigene to defraud the community of N3.6million meant for the payment of electricity bill to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) PLc.

The community also accused him of fighting with his chiefs, illegal conversion of the community’s, resources to personal use and writing of fictitious petitions and institution of several court cases against his subjects.
Meanwhile, the protesters who barricaded the major roads leading to the community carried placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘Enough is Enough, 16 years of no development, no action,” no, to backwardness,” “Igburowo says no to Akinfesola;” “Go, Akinfesola, Go, Igburowo community rejects you Pius Adewola.” The protesters who marched from the main market to all the streets, later stormed the palace and ordered him out. He was manhandled.

However, the quick intervention of Ore Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his men saved the life of the monarch.

Culled- Sun

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