Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Babatunde Ajayi has emerged as the new Akarigbo of Remoland, information reaching Business Post has revealed.
Mr Ajayi was elected on Thursday after five of the seven kingmakers favoured him at a poll held at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Nineteen persons had jostled for the exalted position in Remoland, which comprises Sagamu, Ilisan, Iperu, Ikenne, and other towns, but Mr Ajayi emerged winner.
He raked five votes from the kingmakers, while his closest rival, Prof Babatunde Ogunmola, only managed two votes, and the other 17 nominees had no vote.
“The result of the election revealed that Prince Adewale Ajayi emerged the new Akarigbo of Remoland with 5 votes, Prof. Babatunde Ogunmola had two votes while other 17 nominees had no vote,” the Sagamu Local Government revealed in a statement issued on Thursday.
Business Post gathered that immediately the result was made known, the new Akarigbo’s camp rolled out drums to celebrate his victory.
Mr Ajayi is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a chartered accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
He will succeed the late Akarigbo, Oba Michael Sonariwo, who died in July 2016.
The poll, an open ballot system, we learnt, was supervised by Secretary to the Sagamu Local Government Area, Mr Adewale Fakoya.
The kingmakers were Rasak Akinyemi Salami (Lisa), AbdulWasiu Awofala (Losi), Taiwo Sule (Oluwo Odofin), Lamidi Adesanya (Apena), Ogunyemi Adesina (Ogbeni odi), Kolawole Odumuyiwa (Balogun) and Olotu Adekunle (Olotu Omoba Akarigbo).
The Akarigbo is the paramount ruler of Remoland with his palace in Sagamu.
