Akerele debunks involvement in Apomu violence, appreciate Olukoyi, others
By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Bashorun of Ikoyi land in Isokan South Local Council Development Area of Osun State, Chief Raji Teslim Akerele has debunked his involvement in the violence that broke out in Apomu recently.
According to the Bashorun of Ikoyi land while reacting to the incident in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen on Sunday, “I was not in Apomu then, neither in Ikoyi as I was away to Ibadan in Oyo State with my family, so I was surprised that some people are mentioning my name just to implicate me in the violence.
“I am a Traditional Chief, I am a complete gentle man who is law abiding and always pursuing peace, so how will I be fomenting trouble or doing anything that will lead to communal clash? Never will I, and as the Bashorun of the ancient Ikoyi land, how will I be leading a group or set of people to be fomenting trouble? It is not done and it will not happen.
“Before, during and after my official installation as the Bashorun of Ikoyi land, I was not a trouble maker and I don’t pray to be one. Immediately I came to the town on the fateful day, they have brought some wounded youths to my house in Ikoyi and immediately I started treating them in a traditional way as a traditionalist as first aid before taking them to the hospital for medical attention, so how will someone like me be facilitating anything that will lead to clash? Never”.
Chief Akerele who used the medium to commends the Olukoyi of Ikoyi Kingdom, Oba Taofeek Iyiola Akande Morenigbade Oyeboade I, for his timely intervention described the traditional ruler as a complete peaceful leader.
“I want to appreciate my father, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi land for demonstrating peaceful coexistence among the residents of the ancient community while am also thanking all the people and leaders in Ikoyi for their timely intervention into the issue, thank you all”.