As the contest for the throne of Alaketu-Epe rages on, Prince Babajide Adekoya Adefowora, the new Oba-Elect of Alaketu-Epe, has described his visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja the II, as the Oonirisa, as the homage of a son to a father.
Adefowora stated this on Thursday during an interview with journalists in Ketu-Epe, Ikosi Ejirin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.
He tackled his opponent Akeem, who earlier said that Babajide’s visit to the Ooni was an ordinary one that would not have effect on the kingship tussle.
Babajide said, “I needed to go and pay homage and brief Oonirisa of what is happening in my town. that I am the one chosen by the people of Ketu-Epe as the Monarch-Elect.
“And I am not the one that chose myself.
That was what took me to Oonirisa to go and pay homage. Oonirisa gave me a rousing welcome. I really felt at home with the level of hospitality accorded me and my entourage. We were admonished, prayed for by the revered monarch and the whole world saw it.”
Also, another claimant to the throne, Chief Akeem Oluwo, described the visit as a corner-cutting tour that would hold no water and no bearing to the Ateshimara Ruling House.
Shedding light on the statement of Chief Akeem Oluwo that he (Akeem Oluwo), by virtue of his lineage, is entitled to the crown, Adefowora said: “A mother can beget five children to different men, does it mean that they are all entitled to the crown in the family of one of the men that the woman married into? Her other children from four other husbands cannot lay claim to that of the husband where there is a crown?
“So, in Ketu where we are, a government has gazetted it. it is only Ateshimara that is entitled to the crown. Why is Akeem Oluwo coming out to vie for the crown through the Adeona’s lineage? He himself knows that it is only Osokeji Ateshinmara that is the only ruling House in Ketu- Epeland.
“And that is where I am from. He is only trying to cut corners. It is Oluwo chieftaincy that is bestowed on them. Theirs is Adeona and Adeona has never worn the crown in Ketu- Epeland before.”
The Monarch-elect, while narrating how he heard about the death of the last monarch who was his cousin, Late Oba Adegboyega Adefowora, said some of the people of the town informed him and he got across to the Olisa of Ketu-Epeland, Chief Adewale Badru, as how to go about the process.
According to him, it was Olisa that called him to write of his intentions for the throne as a public notice had been issued for the filling of the vacant stool
He recalled: “I asked him how I am going to go about it and he told me that I will write letter to chiefs like Baba Sonubi. He asked me to accompany the letter with drinks, plenty kolanuts and plenty alligator pepper, that I should be fast about it.”
“He even added that some pretenders must not be allowed to usurp the kingship of Ketu-Epe town. There are proofs of all these. I and Akeem Oluwo are not fighting. But some people are using this incident to sow the embers of discord.
“Although I and Akeem Oluwo are not fighting, we must shed light on what is going on. We need peace in the town.
“Akeem Oluwo may be older than me. I can be a junior brother to him, but we are not related. He is from Adeona. While I am Osokeji Atesimara.
“So, all the documents backing our rightful claim to the throne and all what I have written are with the Executive Chairman of the LCDA.
“When I took Akeem Oluwo to court, it was not Lagos State Government that I took to court but Akeem Oluwo, just to stop him from ascending the throne.
“Then, all the threats messages that I would be killed were so much, but when I realized that the security situation has improved in Lagos, courtesy of our indefatigable Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, I decided to come back and fight for my right.
“The Supreme Court had given the verdict. I implore the Judge handling the case to scrutinize all the documents very well.
“There has been a declaration signed by the then Governor. Everything was there.
Akeem Oluwo is a manipulator who is always ready to use false narratives to turn truth upside down.
“He said that we (Ateshimara Ruling House) was not forthcoming during the death of my late cousin king. But this was a Chief who was jubilant at the death of a king. I am not here for vengeance or any vendetta. I am only appealing to concerned authorities to ensure that the rightful gets the crown, that Ketu-Epe town can have its own king so as to enhance development and progress of the town and its people.
“I challenge Akeem Oluwo to a walk in the town and let us see who has the peoples’ backing.”
Meanwhile, when called for his reactions, Akeem Oluwo said he was studying all the statements made by Prince Babajide Adekoya Adefowora and he will respond soon.
