Five years after the demise of the late Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adewusi, the Youth of Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have expressed frustration over the delay in the installation of a new monarch for the community.
Protesting over the situation, the youth under the aegis of Ifon Development Youth Forum disclosed that the development had been stalling the progress of the town.
Late Oba Adeusi was on November 26th, 2020, shot at Elegbeka axis, along Benin-Owo-Akure highway, Ose Local Government while returning to Ifon from Akure, the state capital, where he had gone to attend a meeting before running into the gunmen who had laid ambush on the highway.
During a peaceful protest at the weekend in the community, the youth, who urged the Ondo State Government to do the needful in the emergence of a new traditional ruler for the community, lamented that the delay has hindered social, administrative, and traditional activities in the town.
Armed with placards of various inscriptions such a "5 Years After, It's Time for a New Monarch," "Give Us a New King," Give Us a Future," among others, the protesting youth marched through major streets of the town expressing their frustrations over what they described as a leadership vacuum that has plunged the community into darkness since 2020.
The youth, who appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to approve the selection of a new Olufon in line with the Olufon Chieftaincy declaration, stressed that the community can no longer remain without a traditional ruler, adding that with a new monarch yet to emerge half a decade since the passing of Oba Adeusi raises questions.
While speaking during the protest, the Public Relations Officer of the Ifon Community Development Association, Olaniyi Olotu, disclosed that the procession, marked the fifth anniversary of Oba Adeusi's passing.
Olotu, who emphasised that Ifon as a large and cosmopolitan community that cannot afford to remain stagnant, stated that "Ifon has been in a rudderless state for the past five years.
"It is dangerous to keep this kind of populous community without a king. We call on the state government to expedite action on the selection of the next Olufon"
On his part, the General Secretary of the Youth Forum, Idowu Alegbe, maintained that the protest would continue until the state government intervenes, maintaining that "since our king joined his ancestors, things have not been working well.
"Ifon is empty socially and traditionally. We are not supporting any candidate, we just need a king. We will continue this protest peacefully until the governor listens to us."
One of the protesters, Princess Aderiike Odogiyan, who harped on the urgency of the situation, appealed to Aiyedatiwa to address their plight, stating that "we are in darkness. We need a king within the next two to three months."