There was pandemonium on Wednesday in the ancient town of Iresadu, headquarters of Surulere Local Government, Oyo State, following the installation of Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde, who proclaimed himself as the town’s monarch, Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu.
His purported declaration as the new Aresa sparked off protest from scores of residents of the town, who argued that a litigation concerning the vacant stool is still pending before an Oyo State High Court.
The protesting youths barricaded major roads leading to the town and burnt disused tyres and chanted war songs.
They challenged Oyerinde to come out of hiding.
It was gathered that praise-singers and drummers contracted by Ojerinde were beaten to a pulp during the protest, which lasted close to five hours.
The development, however, compelled security operatives to pacify the protesting youths.
It was gathered that an Oyo State High Court sitting in Orile-Igbon area of the local government, had in a suit dated April 17, 2019, restrained the state government as well as the self-acclaimed monarch from proceeding with nomination and other processes leading to the installation, pending the final determination of the suit.Others restrained in the interim injunction included: the state governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Secretary to the Local Government Raji Oloyede, Tunde Oloyede, Nathaniel Oyediran and Oyewumi Oyeniran.
But, in what appeared as defiance to the court order, Oyerinde, in connivance with others, however, went ahead and install himself.
Policemen from the Iresa-Adu and Ogbomoso Divisional headquarters later whisked away the self-acclaimed monarch to safety in an unknown place.
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gbenga Fadeyi, said the situation has been brought under control.
Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police, added that it is the duty of the police to maintain peace and order, adding: “That we will not shy away from”.
Credit: The Nation
