Ekiti Govt Resolves Ilawe Chieftaincy Crisis, Says Peace, Unity Strategic to Rural Devt
The Ekiti State Government, has resolved the raging chieftaincy crisis brewing in Ilawe Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area over the installation of one Mrs Regina Oluwafemi as the Ajakarinde of Okebedo Quarters.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who resolved the crisis in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while mediating in the festering chieftaincy brawl within Ogbojana family, warned that any uprising will automatically affect Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s rural development policy in the town.
The intervention stemmed from a petition written by the head of the family, Mr. Maurice Agbadaola, complaining and raising serious allegations of manipulation and infractions in the process leading to the installation of Mrs Oluwafemi with the traditional title.
Troubleshooting in the crisis at a meeting attended by stakeholders, Mrs Afuye, maintained that the installation performed by the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, remained valid, but ordered the occupant of the chieftaincy seat to be proactive and appeal to the aggrieved members in her own interest.
She, however, condemned Chief Maurice Adaramodu, who holds the traditional title of Ajana of Okebedo Quarters, for hoarding the information sent by Oba Alabi, when he called for nomination for the coveted seat away from Mr Agbadaola, who indisputably remains the family head .
Mrs Afuye urged the family to remain united despite the current crisis, saying allowing division to occur may rip them apart and reduce their influences in Ilawe kingdom.
“Let me appeal to the petitioner to allow the installation to stand. But I don’t support the way the family head was shut out of the nomination and installation processes. This is not right.
“We are not going to reverse the process that had already been completed on the premise that the person installed was entitled to the chieftaincy title and she was picked by the highest ranking Chief in the family”.
Speaking to the petition, Mr Agbadaola, maintained that he was incensed over how he was put in the dark during the nomination and installation processes, despite being the head of the family.
Agbadaola clarified that the three family lineages namely: Olukorode, Faparusi, and Fatukesi, are all entitled to the chieftaincy title from time immemorial, contrary to some claims that only two are eligible.
In his position, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Alabi, clarified that his council followed the due process of tradition before the installation was performed, saying the quarters was deeply involved in the nomination and installation processes.
Tracing the trajectory of the crisis, the first class monarch, represented by Chief Joe Jegede, revealed that the matter started in 2020 when the family was embroiled in bedlam over Ajakaride chieftaincy title and he had to quickly wade in and halted the process before the installation was successful done recently.
Oba Alabi praised the government for taking a firm position on the matter, urging all interested parties to comply in the interest of unity and peace.
Responding, the new Chief, Mrs Regina Oluwafemi, debunked the notion that she was imposed by a Chief within the family in flagrant violation of the tradition, saying she was picked through Ifa consultation and family’s unanimous decision, which prompted her to accept the traditional title.
Mrs Oluwafemi promised to take all necessary actions to unite the family and make them stronger for her reign to be memorable on the stool.
The Chairman of the Council, Hon Richard Apolola, assured that the position canvassed by government that peace should reign will be effected and uphold by all stakeholders.