Youths in Orile-Imo community, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised objections over the alleged suspension of their community leader, the Asiwaju of Orile-Imo, Chief Olakunle Olalekan, by the Olu of Orile-Imo, Oba Reuben Sogaolu.
The youths warned that the action could spark an unnecessary crisis if not quickly addressed.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference in the community on Wednesday, the community youth leader, Jimoh Orunsogo Idris, urged the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to urgently intervene to avoid a crisis
Idris added that their appeal to higher authorities was to avoid unrest.
He stressed that Chief Olalekan had played a key role in the growth of the town.
He said “We don’t want a crisis in Orile-Imo. We learnt that Sogaolu said he has suspended Asiwaju. We, the Orile-Imo youths, are in support of Asiwaju.
“Asiwaju was the one who facilitated the major development in this community, so someone who came yesterday cannot just wake up one day and suspend him. All the youths and other community members are in support of Asiwaju.”
“We are crying for help. This community must not experience a crisis. We are also appealing to the Alake of Egbaland to wade into this and this is why we have come to the media for Alake to hear this and come to our aid.”
The youth leader reiterated that peace remained the ultimate desire of the people of Orile-Imo, stressing that the suspension of Asiwaju was unacceptable to the community.
“Our position is clear: we want peace, but we cannot fold our arms and watch injustice prevail in our land,” Idris concluded.
