Nigeria: Modakeke: Monarch Returns After 7-Month Exile

By Ademola Adeyemo, 28 October 2003

Osogbo — The traditional ruler of Modakeke, Ile-Ife, Osun State Oba Francis Adedoyin, last Saturday made a trumphant return to his throne, which he abdicated for seven months, following the bloody riot that engulfed the town early this year.

The Ogunsua of Modakeke had fled into exile when his palace was torched by rioters, who accused him of taking sides in the internal crisis that visited the town.

A quarrel between two rival leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had resulted into a bloody riot during which over 20 persons lost their lives while several buildings were burnt.

However, following the intervention of the state Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who brokered peace after holding series of meetings with the rival groups, the feuding groups embraced peace and agreed that their monarch should return home.

Also, the people resolved that there should be no more blood shed in the town, which had not known peace since their communal crisis with Ile-Ife.

The Modakeke Progressive Union (MPU), the umbrella organisation of all town unions facilitated the return, of Ogunsua.

Having got wind of the monarchs home coming plan, last Saturday gaily-dressed people lined the major roads to the town amid drumming and dancing.

At 10.30 a.m, a long convoy of vehicles led by stern-looking armed policemen and other security agents conveyed the monarch into the town and drove through Itaasin, Seven Day, Itamerin and Oke Dio roads before heading for the palace.

An elated Ogunsua while addressing the people in his palace appealed for peace in order to move the town forward. Said he “It is now imperative that we should all join hands together to build a virile and progressive town.”

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