Indigenes of Igburowo town in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on kingmakers to ensure peaceful process of selection for the vacant stool of Akamuja.
The indigenes also charged them to be transparent and be guided by the fear of God in the choice of a new traditional ruler for the town.
The Igburowo Development Committee (IDC), an apex body of all groups and associations in the town, made the call during a townhall meeting held in the community.
The meeting was attended by kingmakers, chiefs, other prominent personalities of the community, religious and political leaders as well as professional groups and associations with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols as stipulated by the government.
The stool became vacant following the dethronment of the immediate occupant, Pius Akinfesola Adewola, by the government following series of protests in August 2018 over alleged misconducts.
Speaking on behalf of the IDC, Mr. Yemi Olugbamigbe called on the kingmakers not to betray the trust of the people of the town in choosing the right candidate who will use the throne to work for the progress and development of the community.
Olugbamigbe, who is the secretary of the Committee, disclosed that the task of selecting a new king for Igburowo was time-bound, while reminding kingmakers that all eyes are on them as they ought to be conscious of their reputations.
He urged them to strictly adhere to the Chieftaincy Law in Ondo State in performing the duties of choosing the new monarch from the princes jostling for the stool.
Olugbamigbe harped on the need for interest groups in the town to abide by the extant law and carry relevant government organs along in the course of filling the vacant stool.
The IDC scribe also charged the Odigbo Local Government Traditional Council with the task of identifying the families in Akinbumiti and Faduwasi, the two ruling houses in the community.
On the forthcoming local government and 2020 gubernatorial elections, he stressed the need for the people of the town to ensure peace and decorum while exercising their franchise.
Several indigenes of the town who spoke during the meeting expressed their satisfaction and said the kingmakers and other community leaders are now better educated on the process of selecting a new monarch and would work together to ensure a seamless exercise.
Meanwhile, the people of the community thanked Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for nominating one of them, Mrs Margaret Akinsuroju, to contest the chairmanship position of the local government.
They therefore declared their supports for the candidature of Akinsuroju and pledged to ensure her success during the poll, saying the move would make her perform better than before.