By Diana Omueza
Concerned Senior Citizens of Mopa in Kogi have called on the Federal and State Governments to intervene in the Elulu chieftaincy crisis in Mopaland.
Acting Chairman of the group, Mr Michael Ajayi, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since the death of the former Elulu, Chief Julius Joledo, who died in November 2023, there has crisis over the chieftaincy stool.
Ajayi alleged that there had been an ‘illegal’ installation of an Elulu by some kingmakers whom he described as unknown, saying it was a disregard to, and breach of, an existing court order over the stool.
According to him, the stool of the Elulu is still in contention and the aggrieved Iloke community is still in the High Court, Koton Karfe, to prove their right to the stool.
He said that the installation of an Elulu by Mopa Traditional Council was a disregard to the order and injunction of the High Court, Koton-Karfe, that status quo must be maintained,” he said.
Ajayi was the turn of Patia ruling house from Iloke community to ascend the throne after the three other ruling houses had taken their shot.
He listed the four ruling houses as: Ajerin and Aisan from Odole community and Ilegemo and Patia from Iloke community.
According to him, the Mopa traditional ruling system does not involve kingmakers as obtainable in the western part of the country, adding that any installation by the kingmakers should be disregarded.
The chairman called for the intervention of the federal and state governments to put an end to the lingering chieftaincy tussle.
He also stressed the need for the town and communities within it to protect and preserve the long-standing tradition and history of Mopa town.
The Trustee to the group, Mr Reuben Famodile, urged those attempting to erode the historical heritage of the town to refrain from such act.
“The rotational traditional installation of the Elulu of Mopaland has been in existence for more than 70 years and the Mopa Day celebration has been in practice for over two centuries.
“Unfortunately someone is trying to rewrite the history of our land, which is unacceptable.
“Attempting to rewrite the history of Mopaland to fit an individual’s narrative has never been heard of in the history and tradition of the town and we are appealing to government to intervene,” he said.
While canvassing peace and unity in Mopaland, Famodile called for intervention of stakeholders to bring sanity to the town.