Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has urged the new Ekigbade of Bolorunduro, Oba Prof. Thompson Akinyele Akinnifesi, to use his traditional authority to promote peace, unity and development rather than victimise perceived opponents.

Aiyedatiwa gave the charge on Monday during the coronation and presentation of the staff of office and instrument of appointment to the monarch in Bolorunduro, Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

The governor urged the monarch to exercise restraint and caution in discharging his traditional responsibilities, stressing that his authority should strengthen peace and cohesion in the community.

“With the formal presentation of the instrument of appointment and staff of office, the instrument should be employed to strengthen the peace and cohesion of your domain and not to be used to victimise perceived opponents or adversaries,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism that the monarch’s reign would usher in peace, accelerated growth and development in Bolorunduro.

“I also like to use this medium to appeal to all sons and daughters of Bolorunduro, particularly the five founding families of Bolorunduro community, to crown the king and forget about the rivalry that heralded the selection process,” the governor said.

Explaining the process that led to the emergence of the monarch, Aiyedatiwa said the Ekigbade stool was among the newly recognised chieftaincies under Part One of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State, following the government’s approval of the recommendations of the Justice C. E. T. Ajama Commission of Inquiry into chieftaincy matters.

He recalled that the immediate past Oloja of Bolorunduro, Chief Johnson Eniola Akinlosotu, who would have benefited directly from the elevation of the traditional stool to an Obaship, died in September 2021.

According to the governor, efforts to fill the vacant stool since then had been delayed by disagreements and legal disputes.

He said a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Joshua Ogunduyilemi, eventually resolved that the community should have five ruling houses drawn from its founding families, with input from the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom.

Aiyedatiwa explained that because the stool was newly recognised, it had no registered chieftaincy declaration, making the community’s native law and custom the basis for the selection process.

He said representatives of the town’s 10 quarters, who served as kingmakers, met on April 17, 2026, and unanimously selected Prof. Akinnifesi from the Akinyefesi family as the Ekigbade-elect.

The selection was subsequently approved by the Ondo State Executive Council on September 7, 2026, after the government confirmed that the process complied with due process and the state’s extant Chiefs Law.

The governor commended the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo Jilo III, and the local government chairman for their contributions to the emergence of the monarch, describing their efforts as evidence of their commitment to the welfare and development of Bolorunduro and Ondo East.

On security, Aiyedatiwa urged traditional rulers and community members to support government efforts to tackle insecurity, including banditry and kidnapping.

He charged the monarch to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate authorities to help safeguard roads and communities across the state.

In his address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the governor had never interfered in the selection of traditional rulers in the state.

“Let me also make it loud and clear. The governor of Ondo State has never for once interfered in the emergence of any Obaship candidate in Ondo State. He has always said that the interest of the people should be our interest,” Takuro said.

He added that the emergence of Oba Akinnifesi was determined by the people of Bolorunduro and was not manipulated by the governor or the state government.

According to him, the ministry is implementing the governor’s directive to ensure that vacant traditional stools are filled in accordance with the law.

Earlier, the Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Joshua Ogunduyilemi, described traditional institutions as important partners in promoting peaceful coexistence, resolving disputes and mobilising communities for grassroots development.

He commended Aiyedatiwa for the monarch’s appointment and the development projects being implemented by his administration.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Akinnifesi expressed gratitude to the governor for recognising the traditional institution and presenting him with the instrument and staff of office as the pioneer monarch of Bolorunduro.

The monarch also thanked God, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, his family and the community’s five founding families, pledging to provide peaceful and inclusive leadership.

He, however, appealed to the government to address the community’s longstanding lack of electricity and potable water, noting that residents had endured decades of deprivation.

Akinnifesi also called on investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, real estate, tourism and industry in the community, urging indigenes at home and abroad to unite and contribute to its development.

Dignitaries at the event included the APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu; the Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, Otunba Ade Adeniyi; local government chairmen, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.