By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The monarch of the Daja Ajowa Akoko community in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Yaya Obaniyi, has called on the people of the community to support his reign.
Oba Obaniyi, who recently secured a court victory affirming his position, specifically appealed to his opponents to join hands with him in developing the agrarian community.
A High Court of Ondo State sitting in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government, confirmed Obaniyi’s appointment as the traditional ruler of the Daja Ajowa Akoko community.
The judgment came after several years of legal battles among contesting royal families in the community.
In the ruling delivered by Justice Femi Akinbinu, the court held that the monarch, who is the counter-claimant in the suit, had presented concrete documentary evidence to support his claim of being duly appointed as the traditional ruler of the community.
The court further stated that the claim that one Chief S. O. Alaremu was elected as Shaba (a traditional chief) was unsubstantiated and lacked any supporting evidence.
Reacting to the verdict, the monarch urged his co-contestants “to sheath their swords and join him in the development of the town.”
“The development of the community should be paramount in everybody’s mind instead of needless litigation,” the traditional ruler added.
Some members of the Ibowe Clan of the Oyagi Ruling House in Daja had earlier dragged Oba Obaniyi, Akoko North-West Local Government, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the State Executive Council to the Ondo State High Court over Obaniyi’s appointment as Oludaja of Daja Ajowa-Akoko.
Obaniyi was appointed Shaba of Daja in 1997 in accordance with the Morgan Chieftaincy Declaration, before his eventual promotion to the Oludaja of Daja Ajowa-Akoko. It was gathered that, in line with the customs and traditions of the town, the appointment of monarchs in the community follows a promotion system, whereby whoever becomes Shaba automatically ascends as Oludaja.
The opponents, through their lawyer, Mr. Femi Emadamori, had asked the court to nullify Obaniyi’s appointment and revoke his staff of office as Oludaja. However, the court dismissed their case.