The newly installed Seriki of Iperuland, Hon. Ladi Adebutu has revealed that the chieftaincy title was a gazetted office, and a kingmaker position, but, unfortunately there was a misconception of being a Muslim Chieftaincy title.
He added that it was not, but by name it sounded like that, but a gazetted chieftaincy position.
The Seriki stated this after his installation by His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperuland has as the Seriki of Iperuland.
This is in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of Iperuland and its environs, while the chieftaincy title became necessary having had it fair share of controversies, spanning almost 40 years, but has now been resolved amicably with Hon. Adebutu installation.
The installation which drew many dignitaries across Nigeria and the world now affirmed Hon. Adebutu, the former Member of House of Representatives as Seriki of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun home town.
The elated Chief Adebutu while speaking with newsmen at the Oba Palace, he noted: “The Seriki of Iperuland is a gazetted office, it’s a kingmaker position. But, unfortunately there is a misconception that it is a Muslim chieftaincy title. It is not but by name it sounds like that. It is a gazetted chieftaincy position.
“In fact, it is a second ranking position in the Mopere Institution. Balogun is their number one position, while the Seriki is the second position.
“We are lucky because this is nearly 40 years conflict that is being resolved now and we thank God the community is coming to a peace resolution of this.
“For 40 years or thereabout now, the then Balogun passed on and a succession battled ensued. A lot of conflicts emerged from that succession battle and that ended up tearing up the Mopere Institution apart.
“The Mopere breaking up spilled over to a lot of traditional institution as well. It spilled over into the Muslim community, and to the festivals.
“It affected the fabric of the town, but to the glory of God, they now have the opportunity where all the various Mopere now have a unification and they agreed that they will have one Seriki, which happens to be me.
“It is therefore my obligation to hold all these institutions together so that we can have peace and prosperity in the community.”
Dignitaries that attended the installation includes, Senator Ademola Adeleke from Osun State; Chief Derin Adebiyi factional State Chairman of APC in Ogun State; Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, PDP State Chairman.
Others were Barr. Taiwo Shote (Pepe); Mr. Rasheed Buruji Kashamu (Senator Buruji’s first son) and Obas from Remo Traditional Council amongst others
A team of foreign consultants from United Kingdom constructing a multi billion naira processing plant in Iperu led by My Greg Hodge also attended the installation ceremony.
