Kunle Adelabu
-Says action not against Obas installation of Chief Ajayi as Baale
The Alajede of Ijede, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon.) Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, the Ajanaku II, has clarified his position on the controversies surrounding his installation of Chief Nofiu Abiodun Adeniyi Kasumu, as the new Eletu of Oke -Eletu, while the substantial occupant of the stool, Eletu Adeniyi Ajayi is still very much in position.
Oba Adafarasn installed Chief Nofiu last week while traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division and Alajede – in -Council about three years installed Chief Ajayi, during the period that Ijede was without an Oba.
Following THE IMPACT report on the Alajede installation of a new Eletu in its report last week, titled, “Eletu Adeniyi Ajayi Kicks As Alajede Adefarasin Installs New Eletu Of Oke Eletu”, our reporter spoke with the royal father to seek clarification on the controversies that is being generated by the royal decision.
Oba Adefarasin speaking, stated that he was not in any way going against the decision of the traditional Obas in Ikorodu led by HRM (Oba) Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom in installing Chief Adeniyi Ajayi as the Eletu, clarifying that he was installed as a Baale and not as the Eletu.
“I have nothing against what the royal fathers did when there was no Alajede on the throne who had the power to install chiefs in any Ijede town including (‘One’) -Eletu. He was installed as a Baale and what we usually have in Ijede is Eletu.
“What I did was to install an Eletu who is a Kingmaker in Ijede which shows the importance of the title. It is an Ijede traditional title. If you look at the letter that he (Chief Adeniyi Ajayi) was given, he was installed as a Baale and not as Eletu.”
Speaking further, Alajede said:
“Actually, Alajede – in- Council have explained to me that Adeniyi was taken to Osugbo for his installation rites, during which he also performed other rites in order to act in the capacity that he was installed.
“He was also told that the final installation can only be done when Alajede is on the throne, unfortunately, he went to Ikorodu and ensured that the traditional rulers installed him. I have also seen the video of installation and don’t have anything against the decision of other revered traditional rulers.”
Oba Adefarasin also stated that Chief Ajayi is not loyal and committed to Ijede where he derives his authority as the Baale.
“Aside from the fact that he went against the warnings of Alajede chiefs that started the process of his installation to wait till an Alajede is installed to complete his chieftaincy process, he has also taken Ijede to the tribunal to upgrade himself to an Oba.
“Even if he wants to be an Oba, is it not under the jurisdiction of Ijede that he will have to do that? Why is he fighting to still be an Eletu since he has been pursuing the ambition to be an Oba? Oba Adefarasin asked.
Alajede also said that there are compelling evidence that show that Chief Ajayi is working against the interest of Ijede.
The royal father also emphasised that Ijede Kingdom is not ready to lose any of its lands again.
