By James Ogunnaike
Prince Ademorin Kuye, a contender for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, has declared that he is not desperate to emerge as the next Awujale.
Kuye, representing Somolu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, dismissed allegations that he has been parading himself as the Awujale-elect, describing the claims as baseless and malicious.
Reacting to allegations levelled against him by some princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, on Sunday, the federal lawmaker insisted that he would not engage in any act capable of breaching extant laws or established succession procedures.
As a lawyer of 37 years, Kuye maintained that he would not be involved in anything that could undermine the chieftaincy and customary laws guiding the emergence of the Awujale.
A statement signed by one Barr. Kunle Johnson Adebajo, on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, had accused Kuye of presenting himself as Awujale-elect and allegedly commissioning a female ‘waka’ singer to produce a song celebrating his purported selection.
The group described the alleged action as illegal and capable of causing unrest in Ijebuland, insisting that it violated Ogun State’s chieftaincy and customary laws as well as laid-down succession procedures.
“We want to state without equivocation that the action of the said Hon. Kuye is illegal and capable of causing chaos and unrest in Ijebuland,” the statement read in part.
The princes and princesses further called on the Ogun State government to intervene and compel Kuye and his supporters to desist from actions they described as unlawful and provocative.
However, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Kuye distanced himself from the allegations, reiterating that he is not desperate to occupy the revered stool.
“I have never been involved in any of their allegations. I am also a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. I know nothing about what they are saying,” he said.
He disclosed that his family had already issued a statement dissociating him from the claims and affirming support for the Ogun State government’s position on the matter.
“The truth is that I am not desperate about becoming the next Awujale. I was never even interested initially. It was my family that obtained the nomination form for me. For over a month, I did not fill it until they completed the process. So how can anyone say I am desperate?” he queried.
On the viral song allegedly hailing him as Awujale-elect, Kuye denied commissioning any musician, suggesting that political detractors might be behind it.
“I did not commission any song. I neither saw nor heard it until people began drawing my attention to it. If anyone claims otherwise, let such a person come forward with evidence,” he said.
Kuye added that his long years in public service;) including stints as a local government chairman, commissioner, Special Adviser to the Presidency and now a two-term member of the House of Representatives — attest to his respect for due process and institutions.
“I am an institutional person. I know what is right, and I will not do anything contrary to the law,” he stated.
The post I’m not desperate to become Awujale – Ademorin Kuye appeared first on Vanguard News.
