Hundreds of Ijebu sons and daughters took to the streets of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, on Monday to protest the alleged bribery of members of the Council of Kingmakers.
Some of the protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as “We Support Governor Abiodun’s Action. No to Bribery”, “No to Cash & Carry”, “Concerned Ijebu Sons & Daughters Say: Mr. Governor, thank you for responsible leadership”, “We don’t want Bribery and Corruption Awujale”, among others.
The protesters alleged that cash of N100 million and Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) worth N25O million have been given to majority of the kingmakers.
Speaking to reporters, one of the protesters, Mr. Kazeem Bonojo, alleged that most of the kingmakers have been on a spending spree lately.
He cited a man he named as Aare Kakanfo, whom, he said, just bought a land worth N100m last week. Prior to this, he was said to have issued a N50 million draft to buy a brand new Toyota Hilux van that he has parked somewhere and unable to use for now.
Others are said to be keeping a low profile till much later when the dust would have settled.
The protesters alleged that members of the Council of Kingmakers for the Awujale stool are being corrupted by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
This is coming on the heels of a statement issued on Sunday by a pan-Ijebu socio-political group, Ijebu Parapo, in which it urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to desist from interfering in the selection process leading to the emergence of the new Paramount ruler and Awujale of Ijebuland.
The group frowned at Sanwo-Olu’s actions in meddling in the selection process.
In a statement signed by Otunba Olumuyiwa Sonowo, the group alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu has been calling members of the Council of Kingmakers and offering them a blank cheque to choose a certain Abimbola Onabanjo as the next Awujale.
It asked rhetorically: “Can Governor Sanwo-Olu tolerate another governor interfering in the affairs of any part of Lagos State, let alone a traditional stool?”
The group urged Sanwo-Olu to mind the affairs of his state and stop being a meddlesome interloper in the selection process of the Awujale of Ijebuland.