Tinubu’s ADC to remain in Army, holds on to presidential job after becoming Monarch
As new Elemona chooses Regent for Ilemona throne till retirement *Why Yusuf was chosen for the throne
By KEMI KASUMU
Lieutenant Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, the aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has opted to hold on to his presidential duties despite being chosen as the new king of Ilemona town in Kwara State.
The DEFENDER had earlier reported that Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will present the Staff of Office to the military officer on Saturday July 13, 2024, to cement his appointment.
He emerged as the new Elemona of Ilemona after the people of the town and kingmakers nominated him and subsequently wrote the the Emir of Ilorin-led Kwara State Council of Chiefs to approve his nomination.
Yusuf will succeed his late father, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi, who occupied the throne until his death recently.
Yusuf to use a Regent
Meanwhile, a source very close to Yusuf has reportedly confirmed that the monarch-in-waiting is not prepared to dump life as Tinubu’s ADC for a permanent stay on the throne yet.
Rather, he will delegate a regent, who will deputise for him until such a time he decides to take over.l, which our reporter gathered pending his retirement from service as officer of the Nigerian Army.
However, this will only happen after he has received the Staff of Office from Governor AbdulRazaq today, Saturday July 13.
“When a king dies, the staff of the office is returned to the government house,” the source disclosed.
“The arrangement is for him [Yusuf] to go to the government house, take back the staff to the community and drop it back in the palace. Then delegate a regent, who will act on his behalf and reach out to him when there’s a need for it. If there’s no need, they can decide on their own.
“Except they want to make a major decision that affects the structure of the community. That’s the only time they need his approval. But for minor decisions like normal activities in the community, they are in charge,” the source added.
Why Yusuf was chosen for the throne
According to the source, Yusuf was nominated by the kingmakers because of his contributions to the town.
Asked if other ruling families among whom the throne is rotated approved his nomination, the source said no rule dictates that.
He further revealed that the nomination is hinged on his eligibility for the throne coupled with his philanthropic contributions to the town since 2019.
