Ondo State government has presented Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to new Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, ending weeks of wrangling over the stool.

Controversy erupted after nine of the 14 kingmakers in the community selected Olanipekun as the new monarch.

It would be recalled that a prince of the town, Tunde Olanipekun, had instituted a suit against the selection of Yisa as the new Zaki at an Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare Other defendants in the suit were Pa Salawu Olanipekun, the head of Irara family; Mr. Alfred Oloruntola; Chief Edibo of Ogo; and the chairman of Akoko North West local government.

The state governor, the deputy governor, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice were also among the defendants.

Following the suit, supporters of the new monarch protested the attempts to stop his installation by the plaintiff.

The deputy governor, Omolade Oluwateru, who presented the Instrument of Appointment to the new monarch, said the delay in the appointment of a new ***Zaki*** after the demise of the last one had denied Arigidi town its rightful place in among communities in the state.

He advised the people to shun misgivings and misunderstanding and work together for the rapid social and economic transformation of the community. "In doing this, you would have secured a better future for generations yet unborn in Idogun," Oluwateru said.

He stressed that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancor and disharmony, saying the people do everything in their power to end the crisis in the town because it is hurting development.

The deputy governor said as part of efforts to resolve the chieftaincy crises, the state government had initiated broad consultation and reconciliation processes among contending groups and individuals, which eventually brought about the truce leading to the presentation of the Staff of Office.

He appealed to the community to rally round the new monarch to uplift the economic, political, and social life of the people. Oluwateru told the people to offer useful advice that would accelerate the development of the town.

In his acceptance speech, the new Zaki of Arigidi thanked the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, and his deputy for their wisdom and effort to ensure permanent peace in the town.

A prominent son of the town, and national coordinator of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, who was present during the presentation of Staff of Office to the new traditional ruler, inside the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor's Office, Akure, hailed the state government's decision to resolve the chieftaincy tussle in the town.

Adams said, "Our people are happy now that we have a new monarch and we have resolved to put our differences behind us and move the town forward.

"The little crisis during the selection process was a normal thing before a king can emerge, and since we have only one ruling house in Arigidi, which made all the contestants to be brothers from same family, I am assuring you the whole crisis is over and our town is as peaceful as ever."