Recently, The Court Of Appeal Sitting In Ilorin, Kwara State Capital Nullified The Appointment Of One Of The First Class Monarchs In The State, Olofa Of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye 11 In Favour Of Olugbense Royal Ruling House Of The Town.  The Monarch Later Applied For Stay Of Execution Of The Court Of Appeal ‘S Order. One Of The Kingmakers Involved In The Selection Process, Chief Zikirullahi Kola Speaks With Hammed Shittu

Why did things degenerate to this level?
What I will say is that we have some third party on this issue, because for the Olugbense ruling house to have forwarded the name of its candidate, it means it has accepted defeat. I think along the line some people told them not to accept that there is rotation. It is something like an after thought. If not immediately they got letter of invitation to bring their candidate, they should have said they would not participate, that it is their turn as it is rotational. If not for the fifth columnists, this chieftaincy tussle wouldn't have got to this level.
To make peace, the Mogaji, a former Oba was coronated for them but they refused. Then we allowed them to choose their own Mogaji to submit the name of their candidate.

What have been the feelings of the people of Offa since the Appeal Court judgment?
Actually many of the people didn't even know that there was any case in the Appeal of Court. They felt the election of the Oba had been concluded since the coronation and victory for Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi at the High Court here in Offa. It was a surprise to many people. We have to appeal to the people to calm down and not cause any trouble, as many of them think Oba Gbadamosi is their favourite candidate.

How did the kingmakers arrive at the choice of Oba Gbadamosi?
We arrived at his choice based on the statue, custom and tradition of the town coupled with the requirements in the government gazette. Being the custodians of the custom and tradition of the people, we (kingmakers) had to apply what the people want. We also approached stakeholders before arriving at his selection.

Was the Olugbense Ruling House carried along when the choice of Oba Gbadamosi was being made?
There was an interaction with them. We did invite them to submit the name of a candidate, and they complied. The gazette states the laid down procedures for the two ruling houses. We took to the instructions of the chairman and took into consideration the numbers of things that are in the gazette. They actually nominated their candidate vis-à-vis the Anilelerin candidate

What will you suggest as a way out?
I don't want to preempt the court; so to make any conclusion may be tantamount to commenting on a case in court. Since we are peace-loving people and all of use believe that God is the one who dispenses and does whatever he wants; and we believe in destiny. If we want to live in peace we just have to follow God plans.

Are you thinking of out-of-court settlement?
It is premature now. Since this matter is in court I have to be very careful, but I assure you that something will be done on the matter. Because both Anilelerin and Olugbense ruling houses are the same family; there should not be any basis for fighting over the stool. They should be happy that the stool is being occupied by one of their own not another man from another lineage coming to contest it with them. This is my own personal submission. They are brothers and sisters. Even their facial marks are the same.

What does the community stand to benefit in an atmosphere of peace?
All along, we the people of Offa tend to struggle by ourselves to achieve development and if there is no peace, there will be no development. It is when you have peace that there will be freedom of association.

What development projects have been attracted to Offa community since the enthronement of Oba Gbadamosi?
Oba Gbadamosi is a well-travelled man. The knowledge he has gathered from his travelling he has brought them to bear in the community. Even the trademark of his business before he became the Olofa of Offa is enough to build confidence in any investor or somebody with good business idea to come to Offa. He has been very successful and everybody will like to play along with a successful man. This is a man who studied building in the university and there is no story of him inheriting the business empire of his father. He started from the scratch. You know by associating with him you will gain some business sense. There is nothing like having somebody who has the interest of his people at heart. They say Obas have blue blood but his own blue blood Offa is written on the blood. All the time he is always thinking of this town and how to come up with something beneficial. People are more than ever before ready to pool their resources for the development of the community.
In the advanced countries they don't always go to court wasting resources on litigation. Though, you can fight for certain things you claim is your right, sometimes you have to consider what your people will benefit. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war.

Do the people of Offa appreciate all these things?
Yes, they do appreciate his efforts. You can see that after his ascension to the throne, all Offa indigenes in the Diaspora have been associating with the people at home. This was not the case before. Almost the major towns in Southwest we have Offa people. Even there was a time an Offa indigene was the Olubadan of Ibadan.
An Offa man was the first chief judge of Tanzania when it was Tanganyika. This is to show you how intellectually-relevant we are as a people. People have seen Oba Gbadamosi as the rallying point. Everybody brings what he has including expertise for the development of the town. The annual Ijakadi festival is even being gradually turned into tourist attraction.
Since he came, Offa being an education-loving community, scores of schools have sprung up and we are happy, as we want something that can bring development to the town, the state and the country as a whole.

What is your advice to the people of Offa?
As law-abiding people, we have weathered so many storms even in ancient times. We should just look at our predecessors and see how they kept the community intact. We should not act like the Israelites, who maybe because of too much pampering from God decided to allow that enter their heads. We should know that whatever God does not give us we cannot get it. We know that a good name is better than gold and silver; we should never allow ourselves to be instigated by some people out to protect one interest or the other.