By Our Reporter
The Kingmakers of Odo-Ora Ekiti in Isokan Local Community Development Area, (LCDA) have appealed to the Governor of Ekiti, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to remove the imposed traditional ruler of the community, Oba Akinola Adeyemo.
The Oloja Odo of Odo-Ora and Second in command, High Chief Olajide Ajewole made the appeal during a peaceful and development meeting with the royal families, elites, women and youths of the community held in Odo-Ora Ekiti.
Chief Ajewole, said the embattled traditional ruler was illegally imposed on the community on Jan.27,2017 by the former Governor of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose without performing any traditional rites.
He explained that the embattled traditional ruler has been moving round the community with thugs and harassing the indigenes who do not support his illegal ruling.
Ajewole, said the traditional ruler was supposed to be in attendance according to the directive of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Mrs Monisade Afuye but he ignored it.
He said Oba Adeyemo was duly informed with agenda of the peace meeting sent to him, notifying him that the kingmakers, elites, women and youths wanted to have a meeting with him.
“Currently, in Odo-Ora Ekiti we do not have a recognised traditional ruler, because Oba Akinola Adeyemo who is parading himself as an Oba is only teasing himself.
“He has not performed any traditional rites since he was imposed on us seven years ago by former Governor of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
“When we met with the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, she directed him and us that the whole community should organise a peace meeting to find a way to resolve the issue but he ignored the meeting.
“As the second in command and most senior High Chief, he is not the next in line to the throne but politics was played then and for the past seven years, our community has not witnessed meaningful development.
“It is on this note that the kingmakers, elites, women and youths of the community are appealing to our Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to remove him from the throne to restore peace and development to Odo-Ora.
In his address of welcome, High Chief Moses Ajaja, the Odolofin of Odo-Ora and head of Ebi Ilemo, which comprises of the two major ruling houses in the community, said efforts to have peaceful resolution with the embattled traditional ruler have failed.
He said Prince Akinola Adeyemo was controversially declared Obalemo of Odo-Ora at Ado-Ekiti on Jan.27,2017 and was given staff of office two days later.
Ajaja explained that no traditional rites of installation of an Oba have been performed because of the controversial nature of his appointment.
He said the Monarch has used his position to detain kingmakers and youths in the SARS unit of the police.
The Odolofin of Odo-Ora said several meetings were held with the former deputy governor, late Chief Bisi Egbeyemi and Ido-Osi Local Government then advising prince Akinola Adeyemo to reconcile with his chiefs and community leaders but he totally ignored.
Ajaja said the Ebi Ilemo from where the Obalemo emerges, felt embarrassed and exceedingly sad at the attitude of the embattled traditional ruler and have disassociated itself from him.
He appealed to the state government to passionately remove Adeyemo as the Obalemo of Odo-Ora for peace and development to return to the community.
Similarly, the representative of the elite group of the community, Prof. Dipo Olofintila, said the elites have taken positive steps to forestall any chieftaincy crisis but the small group giving negative advice to prince Akinola Adeyemo does not allow the committee to function.
Olofintila said the state government has intervened in kingship tussle of the town for 12 times without any resolution.
He urged the state government to urgently remove Prince Akinola Adeyemo who is currently parading himself as Obalemo of Odo-Ora for peace and progress to be restored in the community.
Also, the youth leader of the community, Mr Toye Ajiyegbe said the embattled traditional ruler, did not perform any traditional rites after he was imposed on the town.
He explained that for almost seven years, he has been harassing, intimidating and unlawfully arresting Chiefs, youths and women of the community.
Ajiyegbe said the youths have unanimously rejected him and advised him to submit the traditional crown and vacate the throne.
“We are appealing to our governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to remove Prince Akinola Adeyemo as Obalemo of Odo-Ora Ekiti for peace to reign in our community.
“He has always been harassing and intimidating youths, kingmakers and women who are not in support of his illegal installation as Obalemo of Odo-Ora Ekiti,” he said.
The Olori Omowa, Chief Ojiro Faniyi who spoke on behalf of women of the community said the illegal installation of Oba Akinola Adeyemo has caused setback to the development of the town.
Faniyi said Oba Adeyemo does not have good qualities of traditional ruler and that he has no regard for women.
“We, the women of Odo-Ora Ekiti are fed up of the activities of Oba Akinola Adeyemo, he always harrass women with thugs and does not value the traditional heritage of our community.
” We appeal to our amiable governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to remove him as Obalemo of Odo-Ora Ekiti,” she said.
Reacting, the Chairman of Isokan Local Community Development Area Area (LCDA) Mr Olumide Fadipe, urged the kingmakers, elites, women and youths of the community to embrace peace.
He prayed that the peace of God would reign in the community.
On May, 28, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Mrs Monisade Afuye gave approval that the elites of the community should hold a peaceful meeting with Oba Akinola Adeyemo and the kingmakers to resolve the kingship tussle.
The elites set up the meeting involving, kingmakers, women and youths of the community and sent the agenda of the meeting to Oba Akinola Adeyemo but he ignored the meeting.
The security agencies which included Nigeria Police, Officers of Department of Security Service (DSS) and other local security outfit were available during the meeting to maintain law and order.
When contacted, the Monarch denied the claim of notifying him regarding the peace meeting held last Saturday. He said it’s a bunch of lie.
“I didn’t get any notice from them regarding the meeting as claimed. Also that of the Deputy Governor, if the Deputy Governor wants to hold any meeting with us, there’s always a channel of communication for such”. The monarch explained.
