The Ogunmegbokanle Ruling House of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State has written the state government demanding for its candidate’s inclusion in the community’s traditional ruler selection process.
The family in a letter addressed to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji through their Solicitors, Morakinyo Ogele and Co, also requested that the state government officially recognise the family as one of the bonafide ruling houses having right to the throne of Olosi of Osi.
The renewed call for its inclusion as one of the recognised Osi-Ekiti Ruling Houses, according to the family, is sequel to the alleged injustice done to the Ogunmegbokanle Ruling House which dated back to the history.
It lamented that none of the Ogunmegbokanle descendants, as offsprings of a foremost Olosi of Osi-Ekiti has been allowed to ascend the throne of their forefather since his reign long time ago.
An appeal is then made to the state government to add or include Ogunmegbokanle to the existing ruling houses in Osi-Ekiti, and if possible, permit them to provide a candidate in the ongoing selection process since the current oba selected and his family are yet to resolve their differences.
Ekiti State Government is also charged to constitute a chieftaincy panel to confirm the historical record in respect to the history of the town.
The letter reads, “If the stalemate now in Osi Ekiti persists or insisting, the government should solve the problem by inviting our client’s Ruling House to present a candidate for the kingmakers to become Olosi of Osi.
“From the established information, both from the indigenes of Osi and from external source, Ogunmegbokanle left Ile-Ife sometimes in year 1240AD together with his siblings and associates. History revealed although he made a brief sojourn at various towns in Ekiti.
“It is further revealed that Ogunmegbokanle left Ife to unknown destination as a result of denial and betrayal of his elder brother, hence, he left Ife to establish his own kingdom.
“During his journey from Ile-Ife, he moved alongside with other siblings to locate his new place of abode which is Osi-Ekiti. Ogunmegbokanle equally carried all paraphernalia of the office of a king included crown, beads and others which they said has been confirmed by records from the Ooni of Ife.
“When they migrated from Ile-Ife, their port of call was Ifewara where Olukoronfo was made king by his loyalist that migrated with him from Ile-Ife. Still our Ogunmegbokanle was on his match as he left Olukoronfo at Osi-Sooko.
“On his journey, he followed the instruction of Apariko Oracle and proceeded to Efon-Alaye from there to Ogotun-Ekiti, thereafter they left Ogotun-Ekiti for Igbara Odo-Ekiti on the instruction of Apariko Oracle from where they proceeded to Ilawe-Ekiti, still on the instruction of Apariko Oracle.
“According to authentic history, Ogunmegbokanle finally setlled at Osi known and called Osi-Ekiti. Ogunmegbokanle who came with paraphernalia of a king and of who was the most senior among his siblings was crowned as Olosi of Osi-Ekiti thus became the first king of the town, Osi-Ekiti.
“File No 31 of Federal Ministry of Information at Archives, subject Osi (Ado District). Matter affecting Ekiti Division titled Osi Native Improvement Society 16th March 1937 where paragraph 7 reads to wit. “Your excellency the following Obas have reigned with the full authority to wear the crown in Osi – the Ogunmegbokanle who came from Ile-Ife to settle in Osi-Ekiti brought his crown from Ile-Ife.
“At page 23 of this Osi matter, it was stated in paragraph 4 to wit: ‘his honor as again consulted the Oni of Ife who stated that Olosi received a crown from Ife.’ At page 16 of this report quoted above, it was mentioned that the 1st Olosi was Ogunmegbokanle who brought his crown from Ile-Ife.
“Both powerful writers of Ido-Osi in their books confirmed that Ogunmegbokanle founded Osi-Ekiti. See ‘Awon Asa Odun Ati Oye Jije Osi-Ekiti.”
The family premised it’s claim on the history book written by Alabi Benso Abioye from Osi-Ekiti on the page 7 paragraph 3 of the book which was translated into English language.
The book recalled, “Sometimes 700 years ago, history made it known to us that Osi came into existence under the administration of Oba Ogunmegbokanle, and Osi is still existing where it is today.”
The family therefore requests the state government for its due recognition and be accorded the right to produce a candidate to the throne of the Olosi.
