Ondo villagers sound alarm on alleged bid to remove traditional ruler

n n

Residents of Jinrinwo Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene and prevent what they described as a plot to remove their monarch, Oba Olawole Ajimosun.

n

The residents, under the aegis of the Jinrinwo Descendants Union, alleged that some government officials were planning to remove the monarch and install another person unknown to the community.

n

This was contained in a statement issued by the union on Monday.

n

According to the statement, Oba Ajimosun was appointed the Oloja of Jinrinwo in 2021 by the Olugbo of Ugbo as the prescribed authority.

n

The statement read, “It will be recalled that based on the Memorandum submitted by the former Oloja Michaiah Edawole and endorsed by the Olugbo before the Ajama Commission, the Oloja of Jinrinwo chieftaincy was elevated to a recognised chieftaincy by the Ondo State Government on 24 August 2022.

n

“By that same token, the incumbent Oloja, Olawole Ajimosun, became the Olu (Oba) of Jinrinwo. However, the state government in September 2025 initiated a process of alleged illegal imposition of a total stranger as our Oba, consequent upon which we advised Oba Ajimosun to go to court, which he did.

n

“While the case is still pending at the High Court in Okitipupa, the state government is planning to install Jackson Okorisa as the Olu of Jinrinwo. We therefore advise the governor against any contemptuous act and urge the people to disregard the said installation.”

n

However, the Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, denied the allegations, saying the government did not impose any candidate on the community.

n

“I am aware of the chieftaincy issue in the community. The community did not have an oba before, but the people selected the person they wanted and the government approved it. There is no removal or imposition anywhere,” he said.

n

“This is the local government of Mr Governor, and he cannot do anything that will cause crisis in the community of his kinsmen. Due process was followed in the process,” Takuro added.

n n