Ikale Community Rejects Alleged Imposition Of Non Indigene As Traditional Ruler

By Doris Israel Ijeoma

The residents of Erekiti-Luwoye, a community in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, have voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Mathew Kejawa as their traditional leader.

The protesters said that Kejawa, who hails from Ikoya, has no ancestral ties to Erekiti-Luwoye, which the community sees as a critical issue in this leadership dispute.

During the protest, the people of Erekiti-Luwoye who carried various placards argued that their community has historically been led by individuals from the Lemegha clan, one of the four founding ancestral groups of the Osooro Kingdom.

They alleged that Kejawa’s forebears are not part of this lineage, making his appointment unacceptable.

“The community has had seven rulers, all from the Lemegha clan, including their late monarch, Kowe, whose leadership was recognized by the state’s Chieftaincy Commission”, they said.

Protesters from Erekiti-Luwoye also accused the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of corruption, alleging they accepted bribes to impose Kejawa on the community.

They claimed that the government’s actions are a violation of their traditions, and they refuse to acknowledge Kejawa’s claim to the throne.

Community leaders have warned that any attempt to install Kejawa as their leader will be met with strong resistance.

They demanded that all actions related to the chieftaincy, unless aligned with the Lemegha clan, be halted to prevent unrest.