Youths in Iloko Ijesa, Osun State have staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate approval and coronation of Prince Akeem Ogungbangbe as the duly elected king of the community.
The youths who came out in their numbers in the early hours of today were seen demonstrating across the major streets in the community showing their grievances following the prolonged delayed of the coronation of a substantive king since 2012.
Recalled that the ancient Community lost its king, Oba Oladele Olashore, the Ajagbusi Ekun and Owalolo of Iloko Ijesa in 2012 at age 77 in a London Hospital after succeeding his father, Late Oba Samuel Oyerinde Olashore.
In a bid to install a new king to paddle the affairs of the community, the Iloko Ijesa Community kingmakers made up of High Chiefs, warrant Chiefs elected Prince Akeem Ogungbangbe as the successor of Oba Olashore.
It was further gathered that Prince Akeem Ogungbangbe gathered 11votes out of the 13votes casted in an election held in 2016 and was declared winner of the Obaship election in line with the tradition of the kingdom and was installed as the Saloro-Owaloko on 14th August, 2017 and awaiting the coronation, official presentation of certificate and staff of office from the immediate past Osun State Government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola which never came till the expiration of his administration.
The youth is however pleading with the current State Governor of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola to fast track and ensure the immediate approval and coronation of Prince Akeem Ogungbangbe, the winner of the Obaship election.
According to one of the protesters, Comrade Olorunfemi Olatunji better known as Awoko said, “Today the Youths of Iloko-ijesa came out to Protest over the prolonged approval of our KING”.
“The late Oba Oladele Olashore died on the 1st of June 2012 and since then we have no King and it has been affecting us Negatively, he added.
“We therefore as Peace Loving people of Iloko Ijesa appeal to the State GOVERNOR of Osun to please approve our King without any further delay, he concluded.
