Kunle Adelabu
There might be light at the end of the tunnel soon over the crisis regarding the appointment of lyaloja of Ikorodu Central Local government which has widen the gulf between the traditional institution in lkorodu kingdom and the Ikorodu Local Government, as traditional rulers in lkorodu division have intervened to resolve the issue amicably.
According to report, the Chairman of lkorodu Local government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, has insisted on the council’s constitutional rights to select candidate for the position.
Hon. Adeshina is insisting on Mrs Bukola Osho, who also participated in the process initiated by Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of lkorodu, for the selection of Iyaloja General of lkorodu division, but came fourth out of the seven candidates that vied for the position.
However, the position of the council boss has been viewed by many as confrontation to that of Oba Shotobi and the traditional institution who have selected Iyaloja of lkorodu division in the person of Deaconess Busola Elizabeth Isikalu.
Sources within the Ayangbure palace and committees that conducted the selection process told THE IMPACT that by virtue of Deaconess Isikalu emerging as the Iyaloja of the Division, she also automatically becomes the Iyaloja of Ikorodu Central LG.
ln a bid to ensure peaceful resolution to the matter, the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bakare Ajibade Agoro; the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo; Oba (Dr.) Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin; Oba (Engr.) Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo; Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubese of Ibeshe and Oba Olukayode David Raji, Eweye of Isiu, met with Hon. Adesina in his office at the Ikorodu LG secretariat, along the TOS Benson Avenue, Ikorodu.
Sources informed THE IMPACT that the royal fathers had a fruitful engagement with council boss and that it is possible that way out of the logjam might occur soon.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu had presented a letter of appointment to Deaconess Isikalu early last year’s December, and she was expected to communicate the date for her formal installation to the monarch when the crisis erupted leading to protests against the Council Chairman at secretariat and to the palace of the Ayangbure.
Following the face – off and protests, a team, led by the Asiwaju of Ikorodu, Asiwaju Steve Anifowoshe, intervened in the matter by having audience with the Ayangbure and the Ikorodu LG boss.
Asiwaju Anifowoshe’s team, THE IMPACT learnt, also visited the Iyaloja – General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu – Ojo, at her Ikeja office on the matter and solicited for her intervention.
Although, it was gathered that the Iyaloja – General Tinubu – Ojo expressed her reservation about the whole process at the meeting with the delegate from Ikorodu, led by Asiwaju Steve Anifowoshe, and included Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, Chief Mrs Odulate and Chief Mrs Adeola Agunbiade, she assured them that she will honour the traditional ruler.
It was after the visit by the eminent personalities to the Iyaloja General on Monday, January 8, 2024, that she summoned all the candidates for the position and market leaders in Ikorodu, the following day for peaceful resolutions.
Sources at the Iyaloja General’s office confirmed that she approved the candidate of Deaconess Isikalu as mark of respect for the traditional ruler, but also emphasized that other candidates that competed with her for the position must be allotted offices in her cabinet for effective administration.
Recalled that our reporter, weeks back after the meeting with market stakeholders in Ikorodu that dragged till midnight, reported that the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, also directed the market leaders, including Deaconess isikalu, to follow Mrs Bukola Osho and Mrs Bunmi Oyenuga to plead with the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, on their behalf.
It was also reported that she charged that Deaconess Isikalu to embrace other candidates.
Aftermath the visit to Iyaloja General, rather than maintaining peace, various people involved in the matter, started holding different versions of the meeting which further exacerbated the crisis, necessitating the intervention of the royal fathers in the division.