Ekiti Government Stops Chief from Wearing Crown, Changing Title

The Ekiti State Government has ordered a traditional title holder and Odofin of Afao quarters, Ikere Ekiti, in Ikere Local Government Area, Chief Rufus Olayinka, to stop wearing a royal crown and changing his title to Oloja Afao, until his area is granted full autonomy.

The government said that this was a breach of the Ekiti State Chief Law and disrespect to the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Agirilala, who is the paramount ruler of the town.

The government also lifted the suspension imposed on Chief Olayinka by the Ogoga and his council for alleged insubordination and disregard for the monarch.

The suspension was declared null and void, as the government said it had no evidence of the letter that communicated the suspension to the chief.

The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, presided over the matter on Friday, and stated that Chief Olayinka had violated the law by adorning himself in royal regalia and calling himself Oloja Afao, when his quarters had not been separated from Ikere Ekiti.

She said that this was like jumping the gun and acting in a manner that denigrates the authority of Oba Adu.

“Our position is that, Odofin can’t be wearing a crown when his quarters, which is under Ikere Ekiti, has not been granted full autonomy. Again, he can’t change his title from Odofin to Oloja Afao, this is utterly wrong and disrespectful. It is like jumping the gun.

“Henceforth, he should stop wearing a crown or bear any other title than Odofin. But concerning his suspension, we have no evidence before us to show that he was suspended because we have no letter to that effect . So, this suspension can’t hold”.

She also instructed Chief Olayinka to attend any meeting convened by Oba Adu, at least once a month, despite his health challenge. She said that the government would not tolerate any act that would cause division or disharmony in the town.

The Deputy Governor’s statement was issued by her Media Assistant, Victor Ogunje.

At the peace meeting, the Sapetu of Ikere Ekiti, Chief Olufemi Babatola, who represented Oba Adu, said that the problem could have been resolved earlier if Chief Olayinka and Afao community had accepted the initial interventions of the government and security agencies.

He said that it was shocking that Chief Olayinka could claim to be a monarch without the knowledge and approval of Oba Adu and the state government.

On behalf of Chief Olayinka, the spokespersons of the Afao community, Hon. Tokunbo Omotayo and Pastor Rufus Akeredolu, said that their agitation for autonomy was not meant to disrespect Ogoga or divide Ikere Ekiti. They said that their aim was to fast-track development in their area and that they recognised Ogoga’s supremacy.

They agreed with all that the government had said and promised to comply accordingly.

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