The Ondo State government has approved the appointment of Professor Akinyele Akinnifesi as the Ekigbade of the Bolorunduro community, triggering immediate tension in the Ondo East Local Government Area. This decision has ignited a fresh crisis within the community as the appointment comes amidst an ongoing legal battle over the traditional stool.
The appointment of Akinnifesi, a prominent academic, has created a standoff between the state government’s administrative action and the judicial process currently handling the succession dispute. Residents and traditional stakeholders in Bolorunduro are divided, with many expressing concern over the government’s decision to formalise a leadership role that is still subject to litigation.
Tension in the community has intensified following the Ondo State government’s approval and appointment of Professor Akinyele Akinnifesi as the Ekigbade. The controversy centres on whether the government can validly appoint a monarch while the legitimacy of the selection process is being contested in a court of law.
Legal dispute over Bolorunduro chieftaincy
The Bolorunduro community, located in Ondo East Local Government Area, has long been caught in the middle of succession disputes. The recent intervention by the state government has added a new layer of complexity to the situation. While the government possesses the authority to recognise traditional rulers, the existence of a pending court case creates a legal grey area that threatens local stability.
The tension in the area stems from the fear that the appointment could lead to physical confrontations between opposing factions within the community. Those contesting the appointment argue that the court’s decision should take precedence over any executive approval. They maintain that moving forward with the installation of Akinnifesi before the final judgement could render the court proceedings moot.
This situation reflects a pattern of chieftaincy conflicts in Ondo State, where administrative approvals and judicial rulings often clash. For the people of Bolorunduro, the consequence of this mismatch is an atmosphere of uncertainty and potential civil unrest. The community is watching to see if the state government will maintain its position or if the judiciary will issue an injunction to pause the installation process.
The next scheduled court hearing regarding the Bolorunduro stool is expected to provide clarity on the legal standing of the current appointment and the rights of the various claimants to the throne.
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