In what look like do-or-die affairs politics, a king in Ilaje Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Fredrick
Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, has directed his subjects to ensure that his son Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan is returned for third term as a member of Ondo State Assembly representing Ilaje Constituency 1 in Saturday’s house of assembly election.
It was gathered that the billionaire monarch allegedly threatened that his son must be re-elected or he would dethrone all the heads of clans, who are popularly referred to as Baales.
Abayomi Akinruntan, member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is currently serving his second term in the Ondo State House of Assembly from Ilaje Constituency 1 in Ilaje Local Government.
Trouble started for Oba Akinruntan and his son when leaders of thought in the town insisted that in the spirit of fairness, the Monarch’s son should give other qualified people in the community a chance to represent the Constituency after serving two terms.
This, however, did not go down well with Oba Akinruntan who resulted to threat in order for his son to win the election for the third term in the Ondo State House of Assembly.
“We cannot allow Akinruntan to go for the third term when there are other people who are equally good for the post.
“For the sprit of fairness, equity and justice, we must rotate this position, this time another person from a different ward must be presented for our people. This is not a family position that anybody will arrogate to himself.
“Abayomi Akinruntan has served us for two terms, the position has to move to another ward in the constituency, and I can tell you, that will be the voting pattern of the people of the constituency in the 18 March, 2023 election,” one of the Baales who was not comfortable with Oba Akinruntan’s threat said.
“I must say that the Oba is inviting anarchy to his kingdom with the words of threatening he has been sending out to his chiefs and subjects all in the name of imposing his son on the people.
“The electorate in the Constituency shall resist any attempt by Oba Akinruntan to rig the poll for his son. If there is any breakdown of law and other in Ugbo community on Saturday 18 March, Oba Akinruntan and leaders of APC should be held responsible,” the Chief warned.
