Ekiti State Government, has resolved the multiple chieftaincy crises brewing in Aisegba Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area, warning against illegal installation and promotion of chiefs in the town to avert unrest and disunity.
The government appealed to the traditional ruler and Apalufin of Aisegba Ekiti, Oba Adeyanju Omotoyinbo, to allow traditional practice that gives the quarters’ heads the powers to install their own chiefs to remain unchanged and unaltered.
The government’s positions were sequel to petitions written by two high chiefs: the Alasura of Asura Quarters, Chief Thomas Anifowose and the Aduro of Aduro Quarters, Chief Abiola Omoniyi, accusing Oba Omotoyinbo of contravening the traditional practice by stripping them of their respective authorities.
In their separate petitions, they alleged that the monarch was depriving them of the powers to install their own chiefs, in alignment with age- long practice, customs and traditions, while also arbitrarily elevating some chiefs as kingmakers, thereby creating confusion and clash of interests..
Intervening in the matter, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, appealed to the monarch to allow Alasura to retain the power to install the chiefs in his quarters, in the interest of peace and for the preservation of traditions of the people.
Mrs Afuye said the chief’s misunderstanding with the monarch stemmed from his quest to seek autonomy for his quarters, but the expedition failed, urging the monarch to exhibit forgiven spirit now that such mission has been shelved.
“I plead with Apalufin-in-Council to allow quarters’ heads to install their own chiefs since this practice had been operated for ages. But Kabiyesi should write on whatever certificate to be presented to any new Chief installed at the quarter level that they are under him.
“It is only in peace, unity and love that you can progress. Before installation of any Chief, they must seek Kabiyesi’s consent and approval. After the installation, they should go and seek his blessing, this is how to show respect and honour to traditional rulers.
“Don’t fight over issues that can be resolved easily within you. We are not trying to rob Kabiyesi of the right of being the prescribed authority, we are only trying to preserve traditions and prevent crisis in his town. You need peace to develop, you should be aware of this.
Trashing the petition brought by Aduro of Aisegba, Chief Abiola Omoniyi, accusing the monarch of arbitrarily promoting some chiefs as kingmakers, the Deputy Governor, said such has not been brought to the notice of government and that she as well considered that ineffective.
She maintained that the community going by its chieftaincy declarations has 13 kingmakers, saying this position has not changed at the government level.
Speaking to his petition, the Alasura of Asura Quarters, Chief Thomas Anifowose, claimed that his people operated a distinct tradition in the town, that had existed for ages, saying they have the power to install their chiefs after seeking the Monarch’s approval.
Chief Anifowose added that any new Chief installed through the quarters will visit the palace nine days after enthronement, in line with the customs, conventions and tradition, unlike the current change the traditional ruler was trying to effect through the back- channel.
On the alleged arbitrary promotion of some chiefs, the petitioner, Chief Abiola Omoniyi, contended that such practice was creating confusion and brawls in all the quarters through undue and unwarranted duplication of authorities.
But countering the positions canvassed by the chiefs, Oba Omotoyinbo, represented by a top hierarchy of Apalufin-in-Council, Chief Adefemi Adekola Awe, said only the monarch has the overriding power to install any Chief in his kingdom, contrary to the claims by the chiefs.
He said it was the duty of the traditional ruler to give consent and approval to whoever to be installed and that the practice by which quarters’ heads were exercising such power stoutly negated tradition and abrade the monarchical power of the king.