Some youths in Eruwa, a town in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene in the crisis brewing over the selection of a new traditional ruler for the town.
The youths, under the aegis of Eruwa Concerned Youth, expressed dissatisfaction with the choice of a new Eleruwa of Eruwa made by the kingmakers, whose name has been sent to the state government.
Although the state government has yet to officially reveal the name of the new traditional ruler, the youths alleged that the name submitted was that of the deposed Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola.
In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by their spokesperson, Omotunde Ayinde, the youths stated that 18 princes submitted applications to the government and kingmakers but were not invited for screening or interviews. Instead, Prince Adegbola was allegedly selected fraudulently, contravening established customs and traditions surrounding Eleruwa selection.
The letter reads in part: “The kingmakers reneged on their promise to hold a meeting on Friday, January 17, 2025, and conduct interviews the following day. However, they decided to hold the meeting on Thursday, January 16, and unanimously voted for a candidate, submitting the name to the Local Government the same day, bypassing the normal process of interviewing all candidates.”
The youths emphasized that since it is Laribikusi’s turn to present an Eleruwa, Prince Adegbola is not eligible to run again. They implored the government to allow the Laribikusi Royal Family to continue the selection process, ensuring fairness, transparency, and freedom from manipulation.
The youths requested that the government investigate the process leading to Prince Adegbola’s selection and reconsider its decision to return the selection process to the Akalakoyi Royal Family.
