Aspirants to throne of Owa of Idanre willingly paid agreed levy – Kingmakers

The Idanre Kingdom has dismissed a report alleging collection of money by the kingmakers from aspirants to select a new Owa. The report alleged that the Kingmakers levied Obaship aspirants N10m each to crown a new king. A statement signed by High Chief Festus Akinlosotu, the Oshinle of Idanre Kingdom and High Chief Akinuli Akinkuowo, […]

The Idanre Kingdom has dismissed a report alleging collection of money by the kingmakers from aspirants to select a new Owa.

The report alleged that the Kingmakers levied Obaship aspirants N10m each to crown a new king.

A statement signed by High Chief Festus Akinlosotu, the Oshinle of Idanre Kingdom and High Chief Akinuli Akinkuowo, the Sasere of Idanre Land, the Idanre Kingmakers faulted the report, saying it was not only devoid of truth but also bereft of every element of responsible journalism.

The statement said that aspirants to the throne of Owa of Idanre willingly paid the agreed levy through official bank transactions, receipts of which were duly attached to their nomination forms before submission.

The statement said: “A critical examination of the story reveals a disturbing lack of balance and professional rigour. The writer relied entirely on one-sided claims without the decency of reaching out to the accused Kingmakers for clarification or reaction. This is no doubt a fundamental breach of journalistic ethics.

“Even more questionable is the fact that the so-called petitioners are faceless with no identifiable names, addresses or evidence of representation within the Idanre community. This alone renders the report baseless, malicious and unworthy of public trust.

“Every aspirant to the throne of Owa of Idanre willingly paid the agreed levy through official bank transactions, receipts of which were duly attached to their nomination forms before submission.

“This was not an arbitrary demand, as mischievously portrayed in the report. The amount was mutually agreed upon at a meeting held on September 9 with all aspirants and key community stakeholders at the residence of High Chief Christopher Oluwole Akindolire, the Lisa and Regent of Idanre, in the presence of other Kingmakers. The decision to pay the said amount was borne out of consensus, not compulsion.

“The fund was transparently earmarked to cover the entire selection process, traditional rites, and the renovation of the long-abandoned palace. For instance, it was agreed that the High Chief Sama’s State House at Oke Idanre, where the Owa-elect is expected to reside for three months, had completely collapsed and would need to be rebuilt from scratch.

“It must be placed on record that the Idanre Kingmakers, under the leadership of High Chief Akindolire, are men of proven integrity, credibility and unblemished character.

“These are community leaders whose lifetime of service, both within and outside Idanre, has earned them respect and honour. To attempt to drag their names through the mud for selfish, political or traditional advantage is disturbing, disheartening and disgraceful.

“While the report in question should ordinarily be dismissed for its watery claims and journalistic shallowness, it is necessary to set the record straight in order to prevent unsuspecting members of the public especially in Idanre from being misled and misinformed.

“Since the passing of the revered Oba Fredrick Gbolagunte Aroloye, High Chief Akindolire has steadily steered the affairs of Idanre with a deep sense of duty. Under his leadership, the peace and order nurtured by the late monarch have been preserved and even more strengthened.

“He has also committed himself and the entire body of kingmakers to ensuring a transparent, lawful and peaceful selection process that reflects the sacred customs and traditions of the Idanre Kingdom. No amount of smear campaign or falsehood, no matter how loud, can derail this commitment.

“The people of Idanre and general public are strongly advised to disregard the said publication in its entirety. Truth, they say, will always prevail and the integrity of the Idanre traditional institution will remain intact.”