To avert crisis that could stoke division and acrimony in Imojo Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, the Ekiti State Government, has ordered the retrial of selection process to occupy the royal seat of Olumojo, in strict compliance with traditions and customs of the town.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive, on Thursday, while interfacing with stakeholders from the community in her office in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The directive stemmed from a petition, dated 30th July, 2025, written by a contestant, Prince Feyisayo Fagbayi, raising eyebrows over how the process leading to the emergence of Prince Toba Fagbayi, was allegedly compromised and undertaken in sharp contravention to the customs and traditions of Imojo town.
The royal seat became vacant, following the death of Oba Samuel Olatunji, who was killed by unknown gunmen along Ipao-Oke Ako-Irele road, on January 29, 2024.
Presiding over the matter, Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, ordered that the retrial should be complied with and done within a spate of 14 days.
She directed that the Ekiti State Chiefs Law and Olumojo Chieftaincy Declarations, which stipulated that Ifa divination should be adopted, must be fully complied with, to avert unnecessary controversy in the town.
To inject transparency into the process that will be done at an agreeable location , the Deputy Governor, advised all the contestants to bring their Ifa priests, also the kingmakers and the Local Government, to work on a process that will be acceptable to all the contending forces.
“The government is not interested in who becomes the Olumojo, but the selection process must be transparent . Go back home and do the needful, it is in your own interest.
“Governor Biodun Oyebanji doesn’t like a situation whereby a town will be operating without an Oba. There are so many traditions and rites that a Regent can’t perform.
“Again, we knew that you may find it difficult to develop in the area of infrastructures if you don’t have a king. Even take a look at the security threat in your area. You need a king who can work with government to achieve security of lives and property.
“Go back home and do what you are supposed to do. Consult Ifa first and if two candidates emerged through the process, the Olumojo Chieftaincy Declarations allows that the kingmakers can vote”.
The Head of the Kingmakers in the town, Chief Ayo Dada, appreciated the government’s intervention, saying it will help in fostering peace and unity in Imojo Ekiti.
Chief Dada, who holds the traditional title of Elejura, insisted that the Ifa priests that will preside over the selection will be brought by the chiefs.
The community leader dismissed the widespread notion that the kingmakers have been bribed, saying nothing of such had happened.
“We have not collected money from anybody. We are ready to do what is right and just in this matter, because the development of our town is paramount to us”.