Two aspirants to undergo security vetting as selection process for Olori Parakoyi Egba stalls
The selection process for a key position in Egba land hit a stalemate on Monday after two contenders polled equal votes, prompting the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, to order immediate criminal screening by the Department of State Services, DSS.
The stool of Olori Parakoyi Egbas which is meant to be duly filled only King Makers of Iwarefa Ogboni and Olorogun Chiefs’ according to declaration of 1957 from Igboore Community ballot ended with Mr Jonathan Oluwole Odekunle and Chief Shuaibu Aro, popularly called AROCOM, each securing four votes.
The result sheet showed that Odekunle’s four votes included that of the Alake, while Aro’s four votes came independently.
Parakoyi literally means one who promotes trade and commerce.
In Yoruba traditional administration, the Parakoyi is often described as the Minister of Commerce in Egbaland. The holder is expected to be versed in trade and money matters, and to promote economic advancement and prosperity of the community.
The title is tied to the Aje deity, and traditionally only a son of Igbore Community section of Egba can perform the rites to appease Aje for the role. It is a statutory chieftaincy stool in the Egba Council of Chiefs. The title is the slot of the Igbore Community in that council.
The stool has been vacant for several years and was the source of disputes in Igbore between 2021-2024.
In 2024/2025, Igbore stakeholders held meetings and resolved to restart the appointment process afresh, disqualifying previous contestants who caused rancor. They emphasized that Igbore cannot delay filling its only statutory chieftaincy seat in the Egba Council of Chiefs.
In a brief directive following the tie a close source from the palace hint our reporter that, the palace announced that both candidates would be screened by the DSS within a short timeframe before the process can move forward.
Further Information revealed that Chief Aro has been removed by the Alake as Jagunmolu Aje Egbaland and Itoku Traditional Council of Chiefs also removed him as Balogun Itoku in 2012 because of crimes that led him to prison.
Meanwhile Security vetting by the DSS is a routine requirement in Nigeria for traditional, political, and public appointments.
The exercise is meant to ensure that candidates meet basic standards of conduct and pose no risk to public order.
