As part of the troubleshooting efforts to resolve the factional and chieftaincy crises rocking Ipao Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area, the Ekiti State government, has ordered immediate reinstatement of two suspended Chiefs in the town.
In the same vein, the government, ordered the Council to immediately restore the monthly stipends of the embattled chiefs: Joel Kolawole, the Obae of Ipao and Ajayi Andero, who is the Alabusoye traditional title holder, and their colleagues affected by the action.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the order on Thursday, while intervening in a disagreement brewing between Obanla of Ipao, Oba Williams Ehinmodupin, and some kingmakers.
The intervention was sequel to a letter written by the monarch, calling on government to mediate in the issues surrounding how some Chiefs rebelled against him and formed parallel government that is dividing his kingdom and triggering unrest.
In her pronouncement, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, directed the Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Bayo Omojola to midwife administrative actions through which the orders will be effected without delay.
Mrs Afuye assured that the pending court case instituted against the Chiefs and others in the Ekiti State High Court over illegal installation of the immediate past monarch, will be reviewed, if evidence shows that they are cooperating with the traditional ruler.
However, the Deputy Governor barred the Chiefs from holding factional meeting, or exhibit traits that could cause cleavages among the members of the Obanla- in -Council.
Mrs Afuye said: “To begin the process of reconciliation, I direct the Local Government to write formally and reinstate the suspended Chiefs. He should also restore their salaries and others affected. We thank God that they have shown readiness to cooperate. What Governor Biodun Oyebanji wants is peace in all the towns.
“I want Kabiyesi to continue to call the traditional meetings and update the local government about the cooperation of these chiefs for the next three months to guide us on the actions the government will take about the pending court case against them”, she said.
Speaking to the letter, Oba Ehinmodupin, explained that the alleged Chiefs and their backers, had refused to cooperate with him, since he ascended the throne, despite the mediation midwifed by community leaders, security agencies and other interested parties.
“What I want is reconciliation that can bring development to my town. I want unity and not division. We can’t progress under the atmosphere of disunity and factional crisis. I am assuring the government that whatever needed on my side shall be fulfilled”.
Speaking on why there were divisions, the Obaleyo of Ipao Ekiti, Chief Olayemi Oladele, said the rebellion stemmed from the trial of some Chiefs in court by government over allegations that they were promoting divisions and insurrection in the community.
Chief Oladele added that another raging issue stoking the fire of crisis was the suspension of some Chiefs from the Obanla-in-Council and their monthly stipend, saying peace will be restored once the affected individuals are reinstated to their positions.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atibioke, advised that the town should hold a reconciliation meeting and come up with a resolution that can be presented in court to fasttrack the withdrawal of the case pending in Court.
An illustrious son of the community and Chairman, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Alaba Abejide and Ikole Local Government Chairman, appreciated the government for taking expeditious actions to restore peace to the town.