Adebayo Adenrele
The Ogunmegbokanle Ruling House of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State has called on the State Government to officially recognize the family as one of the bonafide ruling houses entitled to the throne of Olosi of Osi.
This was contained in a letter signed by the family and addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji through their Solicitors, Morakinyo Ogele and Co.
According to the family, the renewed call for inclusion as one of the Osi-Ekiti Ruling Houses is necessitated by the injustice unleased on Ogunmegbokanle Ruling House dating back to history.
They decried that since the reign of Ogunmegbokanle who was the foremost Olosi of Osi Ekiti, none of his descendants have been allowed to ascend the throne of their forefather.
The Ogunmegbokanle Ruling House called on the state government to add or insert Ogunmegbokanle to the existing ruling houses in Osi-Ekiti and if possible permit them to provide a candidate for the ongoing selection process since the current oba elected and his family are yet to resolve their differences.
They noted that “if the stalemate now in Osi is still persisting 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.”
The letter reads: “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 betrayer 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.
“Written by Alabi Benso Abioye, a strong man at Osi-Ekiti, page 7 paragraph 3 of the historical book. That when translated into English language literary meant: ‘sometimes 700 years ago, history was 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.”
“In view of this, we humbly request that the family is duly recognized and accorded the right to produce a candidate to the throne of the Olosi.
The ruling house also urged the State government to constitute a chieftaincy panel to confirm the historical record in respect to the history of the town, Osi-Ekiti.