Akeredolu approves 15-year-old, Saraki's ex-aide as traditional rulers

The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the kingmakers’ choice of a former aide of a former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, Prince Ebenezer Adewunmi Ogunmolasuyi, as the Olupenmen of Upenmen, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Also approved is the choice of a 15-year-old boy, Prince Oloyede Adeyeoba, as the Arujale of Okeluse, in Ose Local Government Area of the State.

Adeyeoba is said to be the only surviving son of the immediate last king.

The approvals were among the three ratified by the Executive Council presided over by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday.

Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lola Fagbemi, flanked by his Information Ministry counterpart, Donald Ojogo, said Ogunmolasuyi's appointment followed unanimous election by kingmakers in the community.

Fagbemi said the ratification was arrived at after hours of deliberations by the Council.

The 47-year-old Mass Communication and Journalism graduate of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism emerged the town's new monarch on September 10, 2019 after polling all the five available votes from the kingmakers to beat his only challenger, Prince Olawole Folarin.

Prince Ogunmolasuyi is from the Ayiwoye Akinola ruling house.

The Olupenmen stool became vacant in August 2017 after the demise of Oba (retired army colonol) Samuel Ademulegun.

The third prince whose selection was ratified is Prince Olorunsola Akinyelure as the Odogbo of Ode-Omi in the Irele Council Area.