By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Crisis is brewing in Ijare community of Ifedore local government area of Ondo State over the tussle to fill the vacant traditional stool of the ancient town. This is just as the traditional chiefs and elders of the community have called for urgent intervention of the state government and security agencies to nip the seeming crisis brewing over the traditional stool of the community.
The elders decried incessant attacks on the kingmakers of the town by some youths allegedly sponsored by one of the contestants for the traditional stool and appealed to security agencies to arrest the ugly situation which has been causing fear and apprehension among the residents of the community.
It will be recalled that the kingmakers had been dragged before the State High Court with two different suits filed by members of the Sejeokun Ruling House over the vacant stool of Olujare of Ijare, which is pending before the court.
However, the Head of Sejeokun Ruling House, Ijare Kingdom, Prince Oluwole Oni, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed fear over the security situation in the town, saying some hoodlums have constantly attacked some kingmakers of the community. He pointed an accusing finger at one of the princes contesting the vacant stool, saying property had been destroyed, creating fears in the community.
According to Prince Oluwole Oni, “the incessant attacks on some of the kingmakers/chiefs and their properties by a group of boys from Isare Quarters in Ijare, sponsored by some of the contestants to the Olujare stool, which have been officially reported to the various security agencies for necessary action, calls for serious attention/checkmate.
“Another dimension to the obaship tussle is the toga of arrogance of a section of the Sejeokun Ruling House, calling the bluff of the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs’ attempt to resolve and settle the matter out of court.
“So there is no basis for witch-hunting the kingmakers who are law-abiding citizens, as they hold the belief that due process must be followed regarding the filling of the vacant stool, which the suits (cases) in court are meant to address.”
Meanwhile, the Ondo State police command confirmed that there was a crisis in Ijare community over the traditional stool but said the command has waded into it to ensure peace in the town.
Spokesperson of the police in the state, Funmi Odunlami, said, “We have waded into the leadership crises currently rocking the community. We will surely help to resolve the unrest once and for all and peace has returned to the Ijare community.”
But Oni maintained that “As it is today, Ijare Community is in a state of anomie (social disorder and lawlessness); the said ‘Isare boys’ (drug addicts and criminals) have vowed to sniff life out of the kingmakers, nine of them who are perceived as not supporting their sponsors’ aspiration.
“And the said kingmakers have consistently run to the security agencies for refuge and protection via a series of save-our-souls petitions, as the said ‘Isare boys’ are hinging their attacks on the obaship race (the filling of Olujare vacant stool).
“It is our clarion call and prayer that the security agencies should please do more to address the ordeals of the said kingmakers, some of whom are now refugees in other towns; and they should endeavour to study the merit of the various petitions already written against the ‘Isare boys’, who continue to boast around, claiming that nobody can effect their arrest and prosecution – because they and their sponsors believe that their persistent lies against the truth will continue to hold sway.
“Finally, it is our humble appeal to the security agencies (both Federal and the State) to rise up and bail Ijare Community from sliding into a state of anarchy,” Prince Oni said.