Ekiti govt annuls installation of traditional chief, orders new selection process

The Ekiti State Government, on Tuesday, cancelled the installation of Chief Ige Ademiluyi as the Obaorun of Ijan Ekiti, Ayekire Local Government Area, saying the process leading to his selection and enthronement was faulty and contravened the laid down traditions.

Obaorun traditional stool from Ikesan Quarters was the number six among the nine kingmakers in the chieftaincy hierarchal order of the Ijan Ekiti community.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, gave the annulment order in Ado Ekiti while interfacing with the stakeholders from the community.

The intervention was sequel to the petition written by Major Olajide Ijadare, alleging cases of threat and intimidation to his person by some prominent chiefs over the crisis surrounding the installation of a new Obaorun.

In her verdict after listening to the parties involved, particularly the testimonies outlined by some kingmakers, Mrs Afuye, ordered that the installation of Chief Ademiluyi be reversed with immediate effect.

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The Deputy Governor directed the family to cooperate with Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi for the commencement of a new selection process that will involve all interested parties, Ifa consultation and visitations to all sacred places the Chief ought to have visited.

For the new selection to garner high acceptability, Mrs Afuye, directed the chairmen of Ayekire and Gbonyin Council areas and officers of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs to witness the process and ascertain its propriety.

“It was wrong for some interested parties in the traditional seat to have been shut out during the selection process. Some traditions were also not observed, this is not acceptable to us in the interest of peace.

“There is no way we won’t reverse the whole process. The Ifa traditional consultation was the best way to resolve the matter. But under this case, no Ifa consultation was done, no evidence to show this. We have no choice but to reverse his installation and allow the process to begin again.

“Let whoever has an interest in the family indicate intent to allow peace to reign and for our traditions to be preserved”, she said.

Mrs Afuye also ordered immediate stoppage of Obaorun’s monthly stipend pending the time a new process will be completed.

During the proceeding, the Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Aladesuyi, countered that the process leading to Chief Ademiluyi followed proper traditional procedures.

However, Oba Aladesuyi commended the State Government for the swift intervention, saying the community will heed the directive handed down by the government to pacify aggrieved members.

Countering the position maintained by the monarch, a member of the family, Chief Ropo Adesanya, who spoke at the event, faulted the process leading to Chief Ademiluyi’s ascension, saying the position taken by the government will help in resolving the problem.

Another kingmaker from the community and Olufon of Ijan Ekiti, Chief James Dada, said the laid down process for the ascension of any kingmaker called ‘Elu’ in Ijan Ekiti can’t be compromised, saying it was a sacrilege to toe such sordid path.