The Ekiti State Government, has resolved the fracas between the Alayegunle of Ayegunle Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Folorunso Aderiye and estranged kingmakers over the raging bedlam regarding the purported dethronement of the monarch over unresolved differences.
Tension flared in the town a couple of weeks ago, sequel to alleged removal of the monarch by the kingmakers, supported by the community, which nearly snowballed into violence and bloodshed.
Interacting with the critical stakeholders in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, via a statement signed by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, appealed to the warring factions to shelve their swords and embrace peace.
As part of the troubleshooting efforts, Mrs Afuye directed that those in detention in connection with the matter should be released immediately, while cases pending in court should be withdrawn.
Mrs Afuye said the purported dethronement of the monarch and the counter suspension of the kingmakers applied by the two warring sides, were of no effect, saying such actions were not recognised by the government.
“This meeting is at the instance of our peace loving Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. We must allow peace to reign. We can’t be fighting over issues that can be resolved amicably. Let us be careful about our actions and gauge our tempers. To destroy is very easy, to build is difficult.
“Henceforth, we don’t want any crisis in Ayegunle Ekiti. We are begging you to allow peace to reign. You can’t continue to fight eternally. You are not progressing. Let there be peace, we beg you. Whatever they are going to use to appease the gods regarding the deposition must be provided by the monarch.
“I am directing the council to pay the monthly stipends of all the chiefs into their individual accounts. And if they refuse to attend the town’s meeting henceforth, then the government should be informed for proper action”.
In his submission, the embattled monarch, Oba Aderiye, debunked the claim that he was clamping the chiefs in detention, saying what prompted the recent crisis were the issues of monthly stipends and conferment of traditional titles on some people.
The monarch, who promised to comply with the government’s peace efforts, claimed that those installed as chiefs by the palace, were done in compliance with the traditional practices and customs, and with the backing of the chiefs that are now opposed to some of his actions.
However, the traditional ruler stated that he had directed the authority concerned to pay the withheld stipends of the chiefs, contrary to the claim being made by his traducers, as part of the efforts to resolve the crisis.
Justifying the monarch’s dethronement, the Eisa of Ayegunle, Chief Ilesanmi Olusola and Eisinkin, Chief Pius Ogunlusi, said they took the step against the monarch over alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of subjects, abdication of traditional duties, manhandling of his chiefs, among others.
The traditional Chiefs accused the monarch of turning the town into a war zone, but pledged to embrace the olive branch being spread by the government and Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, who is the paramount ruler in Ijero Local Government.
Mediating on the matter, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole and other traditional rulers from the council, revealed that the matter had been resolved by the state traditional rulers, regretting how it violently resurged and degenerated to this dimension.
Specifically, Oba Adewole, who is the paramount ruler, stated that the chiefs have no overriding powers to remove the monarch without government’s consent, saluting the government for taking a prompt action to stem the tide of crisis and internal squabbles in the town.
“Only government can remove the monarchs, your action is just an exercise in futility. Likewise, the suspension of the chiefs can’t stand under this circumstance, because the traditional ruler can’t run the town alone. Give peace a chance and comply with government’s directive”.
The Chairman of Ijero Local Government, Hon. Abayomi Folowosele, appealed to the warring sides to shelve their swords and embrace the peace initiative midwifed by the government.