By Asaye Bankole
Prince Gbadebo Adeusi Aladetoye of the Orioge Royal House has emerged as the monarch-elect of Oba-Ile Kingdom in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Prince Adeusi was selected by the kingmakers following a process that involved Ifa consultation and voting among the contestants.
The selection exercise was conducted under the supervision of officials of the Ondo State Government, Akure North Local Government and security agencies.
The process followed an Ifa consultation conducted on Thursday, September 17, which reportedly identified Prince Adeusi as the preferred candidate among five contestants for the traditional stool.
Speaking after the selection, the Elemo of Oba-Ile and head of the kingmakers, Chief Oluwatimileyin Gbemisayo, said the process was carried out in accordance with directives from the state government.
He explained that although the Ifa consultation had produced Prince Adeusi as the preferred candidate, government representatives insisted that the contestants should also be subjected to a vote by the kingmakers.
According to him, five of the six kingmakers voted for Prince Adeusi, after which he was declared the monarch-elect.
“When we voted today, five out of the six kingmakers voted for Gbadebo, and as head of the kingmakers, I declared him our king.
The representative of the government was there to witness the election, and Gbadebo is now the king-elect of Oba-Ile,” Gbemisayo said.
The exercise was witnessed by the six kingmakers, officials of Akure North Local Government, the councillor representing Oba-Ile Ward, Hon. Adesoye Fagoroyo, as well as security personnel.
Gbemisayo described the emergence of Prince Adeusi as a victory for the entire community, urging residents to unite behind the new monarch.
He also disclosed that efforts would be made to reconcile the other four contestants with the monarch-elect.
“We have made plans to reconcile with the other four contestants. There are no losers; we are all winners. We will set up a committee to bring everybody together for the benefit of the community,” he said.
He added that the community was awaiting the formal recognition of the monarch and the presentation of the staff of office by the Ondo State Government before the traditional installation ceremonies would commence.
Also speaking, the Agba Akin of Oba-Ile Kingdom, Chief Olugbogi Olushola, appealed to the other contestants and their supporters to accept the outcome and work with the monarch-elect for the development of the kingdom.
“Many people contest for a position, but only one person will emerge successful. We have chosen our king, and that is the will of our people. I appeal to the other contestants to work with him,” he said.
Prince Adeusi is reported to have studied Linguistics in France, where he also worked for several years. He later moved to Germany and subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom.
While in the UK, he studied Human Management and Elderly Care at the University of Sunderland and reportedly lived and worked there for about a decade.
His emergence now awaits formal recognition and the presentation of the staff of office by the Ondo State Government before the commencement of the full traditional installation process.
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