A pressure group under the auspices of Concerned Oro Kingdom Indigenes has queried the kingmakers for the non-observance of the usual customs and tradition in the selection and enthronement process of a new king in Oro Kingdom, beckoning on government to intervene and straighten things appropriately.
The group, in a statement signed by Elder Ademola Adeogun, General Coordinator, Olatunde Aina, General Secretary and Chief Olaken Olaoye, Adviser and made available to journalists, cautioned those involved in the process saying, “we must not fail to caution that the customs and tradition relating to the enthronement of a new king need to be observed.”
The body identified the kingmakers, contending princes and the elites under the banner of Oro Descendants Union (ODU) as critical stakeholders, and then charged them not to concoct processes alien to the customs and tradition of the land.
After pointing out that their prior interest is in peace and progress of Oro Kingdom, the group emphasized that selection and coronation of an Oba in Yoruba land are more of customs and tradition as against civil proceedings being laid out.
The group frown at the recognition of candidates without due diligence and jettisoning of tradition in the enthronement of a new king in Oro Kingdom, adding that “it is important to follow the line of tradition for the sake of peace and progress in the land rather than mundane considerations that are alien to our time-tested cultural values or allow financial inducement take the centre stage.”
The Concerned Oro Kingdom Indigenes therefore called on government authorities to help them look into the legitimacy of a candidate who doesn’t hail from a recognized ruling house, describing such move as forbidden because it has negative consequences and repercussions.
“Our honest plea is that derecognition, degradation and debasement of culture in the enthronement of our king should not be allowed. This is because the consequences could be more than imagined. It is better to avoid derailment from the known and cherished customs and tradition so as to enthrone a monarch that is truly produced from the observance of Oro Traditional customs, norms and mores,” the group submitted.