Bello-Melaye Political Feud Stalls Olujumu’s Coronation

The political feud between Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Otunba Dino Melaye has taken its toll on the traditional institution of Ijumu Kingdom as the presentation of staff of office and coronation of Olujumu of Ijumu, HRM Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni has been put on hold indefinitely.
The presentation of staff of office to the monarch was earlier stated to hold on the 1st of December 2018 in which the state governor is expected to be in attendance for the presentation of staff of office.
A statement jointly issued by the Olujumu coronation committee by Elder A.P.S. Arogundade and Mr. Julius Atibioke stated that apart from the state Governor, the Administrator of Ijumu Local Government Area, Alhaji Taofiq Isa, the Senior Special Adviser to the state Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr Ohere and other personalities are expected to grace the event.
However, the coronation took a new twist when the organising committee issued a press statement postponing
 the event.
According to the statement, the committee said the postponement was hinged on non-availability of the Governor to grace the event.
The statement further revealed that the State Governor will be traveling outside the country, adding that the coronation has been postponed indefinitely.
A very reliable source revealed that the indefinite postponement is as a result of the insistence of Senator Dino Melaye to be present at the event despite entreaties by the traditional council of the area appealing to him not to attend to avoid any security challenge his presence might cause.
The source further revealed that Senator Melaye was taken aback by their appeals.
The Senator who told them that as a son of the kingdom, it would be a insult on his personality to be away from the event.
Senator Melaye reportedly retorted that as a stakeholder and as political leader in the senatorial district, he would not abdicate his responsibility.
According to the source, the traditional council’s inability to convince Senator Melaye not to come made them to postpone the event indefinitely.
The Council did not want a repeat of what happened during the celebration of 2017 Kabba Day that witnessed a confrontation between the state governor supporters and the Senator which nearly marred the event.
Equally, they feared that the event may be hijacked by supporters of Senator Melaye and Senator Smart Adeyemi to score political points. The duo are from the same local government area and senatorial candidates contesting on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively.
Senator Adeyemi is from Iyara while Senator Melaye is Aiyertoro Gdede about 15 kilometres from each other.
It will be recalled the a similar event played out last year when the Olu of Ayetoro Gdede, HRH Oba Ehindero was coronated.
Senator Melaye was prevailed upon not to attend the event despite that he is an indigene of the town. After much persuasions, he stayed away but the state Governor that was billed to present staff of office was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike.
The postponement has generated a lot of concern by some indigenes of the area. They opined that it is high time traditional institution is freed from intrigues of politicians.