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Youths in Ose Irele, the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday staged a peaceful protest, demanding the installation of a substantive monarch for the town.

The stool of the Olofun of Irele became vacant following the death of the late Oba Olanrewaju Lebi in January 2018.

After his passing, Prince Olanrewaju Ayeromora was appointed regent, pending the installation of a new monarch.

The youth, under the aegis of the Coalition of Irele Progressive Youth Movement, expressed dissatisfaction with the delay, lamenting that the community has been without a substantive king for over six years.

They called on the state government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate steps to install a monarch.

One of the leaders of the protesters, Akinboyo Michael, expressed frustration over the inability of the Council of Ijamas and the Council of Chiefs to resolve their differences and proceed with the selection process.

He said, “The people of Ode-Irele are tired of being left without a traditional ruler. The prolonged vacancy of the Olofun stool is a direct threat to our heritage and unity.

“We call on Governor Aiyedatiwa to use his good office to ensure the installation of a new king before the upcoming Ọré Festival.”

The protesters marched through major roads in Irele, chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards with inscriptions such as: “Mr Governor, give us a king at Irele,” “No substantive Oba Olofun,” “ODSG’s position on the Olofun stool must be made public,” “We need a king now,” “No king, no Ọré Festival,” and “Darkness must end in Irele.”


They also threatened to disrupt the forthcoming traditional Ọré Festival if a substantive monarch is not installed before the event.

“We will not allow any regent or chief to partake in the Ọré Festival if the community remains without a king. Only the Malokun priests (Abojutoros) will be permitted to conduct the festival’s rituals,” the protesters declared.

In his reaction, the regent, Prince Olanrewaju Ayeromora, appealed to the government to act swiftly on the matter.

“I appeal to the government to respond to our request. I have written to the government, asking for approval to begin the process of selecting a substantive king for the community. Once we receive the approval, we will proceed with the selection process accordingly,” he said.