Some indigenes of Ijeja in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital have petitioned the Department of State Security (DSS) over an alleged plot by some people to impose one Taiwo Sokunbi as a monarch in Ijeja.
Bidbol Solicitors and Advocates had on behalf of Kehinde Amusa, Sakarulahi Olanrewaju and Sanmi Olatomi, written the DSS State Director in Abeokuta, alerting the security agency of acts that could lead to bloodshed in Ijeja.
According to the letter signed by R. Oshomoji Esq, it was alleged that the Balogun of Egbaland, Chief Sikiru Atobatele, was conspiring with others “to install Sokunbi, a non-indigene, as the monarch.”
The petitioners had alleged that the Balogun of Ijeja, Chief Femi Solanke and the Ekerin Balogun of Ijeja, Chief Yemisi Sodipo had demanded a sum of N10 million from the said Sokunbi while they “hired the service of High Chief Sikiru Olatunde Atobatele, the Balogun of Egbaland.”
It was said that Chief Atobatele, who is the second-in-command to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, was using his position “to manipulate and pressurize the Alake into accepting their biddings.”
While acknowledging the power of the Paramount Ruler to enthrone anybody, they said, however, that “the person enthroned must have parental lineage in the town, specifically the male parent,” as stipulated by the Ogun State Chieftaincy law.
“The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo was not aware of the scheme that Chief Taiwo Sokunbi, who was brought to him through a proxy, Chief Atobatele (Balogun Egba) was not actually from Ijeja land,” it was said.
The petition read further that, Sokunbi’s parents are from Igbore Ntoji Compound also in Abeokuta.
“Chief Taiwo Sokunbi and his twin brother Mr. Kehinde Sokunbi were born at Igbore Egba Village called Seriki-Sotayo, very close to the Ogunmakin town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.”
Meanwhile, the petitioners have called on the Alake, other stakeholders in Ogun chieftaincy affairs and the DSS to investigate the allegations, “before Ijeja community is turned into another Agodo.”
It was stated that “the findings of the investigation will prevent a breach of public peace and bloodshed in the community.”
DAILY POST contacted the Balogun Egba for his reaction to the allegations levelled against him.
Speaking in a phone conversation, Atobatele said he is not an indigene of Ijeja and has nothing to do with their chieftaincy issue.
The Egba High Chief said the Alake should be contacted by anybody who wants to know about Ijeja chieftaincy tussle.
“Mr man, I’m not from Ijeja. I have no business with them at all. If you want to find out, go to Alake and find out,” Atobatele tersely said.
