The Mopa Traditional Council has declared the election of Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun as the new Elulu of Mopa to be credible and in line with tradition.
The council emphasized that all free-born individuals from any of the nine communities within Mopa are eligible to contest for the stool.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Palace of Elulu in Mopa, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi on Wednesday, where most of the issues raised by the aggrieved parties were addressed by the council under the leadership of Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun.
According to the council, the Mopa community consists of two axes, Odole and Ileteju, and it is their customary practice to rotate the stool between the two axes.
The current Elulu, Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun, is from the Ikeji community, which is part of the Ileteju axis.
The monarch of the Odole community, Oba (Barr.) Bayo James clarified that although it was irregular for a contestant to serve as a kingmaker, as was the case with Oba David Ajolore, he was still allowed to nominate a representative to participate in the selection process.
He stressed that none of the monarchs influenced the outcome to favor any particular contestant.
Oba Bayo James also extended an olive branch to the aggrieved parties, urging them to retract their court case and return home to promote peace and unity in the community.
He emphasised that Oba Ibeun has been duly elected and has begun his reign.
Other kingmakers and community leaders, including Comrade Olorunfemi Temitope Olorunshola and Comrade Femi Ojo, echoed the council’s position, stating that the selection process was fair and in accordance with tradition.
They expressed surprise that some individuals, including Emmanuel Ajolore, who participated in the selection process, are now challenging the outcome.
The paramount ruler of Mopa land, Oba Oluwamuyiwa Ibeun reiterated that his focus is on uniting the community, promoting peace, and developing the entire Mopa land and Mopamuro local government area.
He emphasised that he has extended a hand of fellowship to his co-contestants and is willing to work with them to move the community forward.
