No fewer than 13 Princes from the Osupa ruling house, Akure have signified their intention to occupy the vacant throne of the Deji of Akure in Ondo state.
The nomination for the position of the Deji became open following a letter written by the state government through the Akure South Local Government Area of the state and addressed to the head of Osupa ruling house, Akure.
The ruling house commenced nomination among contestantsfor the position of the Deji, after which the name of the successful candidate will be forwarded to the kingmakers in line with the tradition of the ancient town.
At the meeting held at the residence of the head of the Osupa ruling house, Dr Ade Ogunleye, under the supervision of officials of Akure South Local Government Area, 13 Princes from the ruling house signified their intention to occupy the vacant stool.
The meeting was held under tight security of armed police men numbering over 50.
The contestants include Samuel Adegboro; Kayode Oluwole;Adegbola Adelani; Kayode Adegbite; Femi Adejuyigbe and Adeolu Adepoju.
Others are Patrick Aladetoyinbo; Leye Agbebi; Ojo Awimoro; Oluyemisi Bello; Damilola Adeyemi; Oluwole Oguntuyi and Ade Falodun.
However, the deposed traditional ruler of the city, Adesina Adepoju who is still interested in the throne has dragged the ruling house to court seeking an injunction restraining the state government, the ruling house and the kingmakers from approving any candidate for the stool pending the determination of his suit.
The deposed monarch who is also from the Osupa ruling house claimed that he was still entitled to the throne as according to him he was wrongly removed from the stool.
Adepoju who is currently sojourning in the United Kingdom headed to the Appeal Court in Akure when his case was struck out at an Ondo State High court, and judgment has been reserved in the suit at the Appeal Court.
It would be recalled that the state government dethroned Adepoju on June 10,2010 for allegedly assaulting his wife, late Mrs Bolanle Adepoju
However, Mrs Adepoju later died in 2012 after confessing through the media that the incident that led to her husband banishment was exaggerated.
The development led to the installation of late Oba Adebiyi Adesida from Ojijigogun ruling house who was installed in 2010 as the 46th Deji of Akure, but died on December 1,2013 after reigning for three years.
His daughter, Princess Adetutu Adesida is presently occupying the throne as the regent of Akure Kingdom.