BY LAW IBITOYE
Following the disagreement that greets the candidature of Prince Babatunde Adebomi Babalola, the Oba elect, for Araromi Ekiti,
Stakeholders in the community insisted that Ifa chose the Oba elect, condemned the protest against the Oba elect, Prince, Babatunde Adebomi Babalola, called on Ekiti state government to intervene .
On Monday, a group of people had protested to the Ekiti State House of Assembly calling for the disqualification of Prince Babatunde Adebomi Babalola on several allegations.
In an interview, some of the stakeholders in the community, condemned the protest,said it was uncalled for and not necessary.
Speaking with the Araromi Progressive Union President, who is also the Head of the Araromi Warriors, Comrade Ogboola Thadius Oluwasegun said, “Those that are doing this are from the minority, they said they didn’t want the chosen Kabiyesi to have peace and his well wishers.
“The ifa oracle consultation was done on the 18th of February, last Year (2023). There are four contestants, and there is no way four of them can be on the throne hence we consulted Ifa and Prince Babatunde Adebomi Babalola was chosen.
“Enough is enough, let the government tell them to stop all this commotion and pandemonium they are bringing to this little country village thus retarding the progress of the town. Let the government take action on the minority people under the umbrella-ship of the so called Gabriel Oluwa Aina, who led them them to the State’s House of Assembly yesterday, while others are in Court. Let the Government tell them to stop blackmailing this little country village and the chosen Kabiyesi” he said.
Also, Prince Joseph Adeyinka Olatunji, one of the elders of the Royal family said “Let the Government call the stakeholders together and tell us their decision, government decision supersedes every other ones. During the time of Ajero it happened like that but government decision supersedes every other one, and it has been happening not only in Araromi here.
“Let the government set aside a day for us and settle this matter, ones and for all, and let the Oba come in since the Oba has been selected, they should just announce the date of coronation and he should be installed ones and for all.” He noted.
Also, Chief Steven Afolayan explained that the narratives about the community and the Oba elect prince Babatunde Adebomi Babalola was not the true picture of things, saying the community is peaceful and in support of the Oba elect not minding various actions to discredit him.
The stool of the Araromi community became vacant following the demise of ,Oba Caleb Falomo who joined his ancestors in October, 202I . It was gathered that disagreement among contestants had hampered the installation of a new Oba , three years after the demise of the deceased king.