Ekiti Residents Protest, Reject Government’s Choice of New Monarch
The people of Araromi-Obo Ekiti have expressed their displeasure over the state government’s decision to install Ebenezer Ojo as the new king of the town.
They staged a peaceful protest on Friday to demand that the government should respect the tradition and the rule of law.
According to the protesters, Ojo is not from the ruling family of Odolofin, but from the Balemo Chieftaincy Family, which has no declaration under the 1982 Chieftaincy Law. They said that the government’s directive, which was issued on Thursday, was in violation of the custom and the court process.
Mr Alabi Omoniyi, a member of the Odolofin family, appealed to the Governor to stop the installation of Ojo for the sake of the community’s peace.
He said that the rightful king should be from the Odolofin family, which is the only ruling house in Araromi-Obo Ekiti.
Adedara Sunday Aderemi, the President of Araromi-obo Progressive Council, also pointed out that the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court. He urged the government to wait for the judgement of the apex court before taking any action that could cause chaos in the town.
He said that the Balemo chieftaincy has no declaration and no right to produce a king for Araromi-Obo Ekiti. He said that only the Odolofin family can produce a king, as stipulated by the tradition and the law.
Barrister Paul Akomolafe, the Legal Adviser of Odolofin Family, said that the government’s pronouncement was illegal and tantamount to contempt of court. He said that the government’s actions were illegitimate until the Supreme Court gives its ruling on the case.
He also criticized the Bureau of Chieftaincy for issuing a letter to install a regent who is not from the ruling family. He said that it is against the rule of law to install a regent who is not the first daughter of the late monarch.
He said that Mrs Ajayi, the first daughter of the late Owa-Olobo, should be the regent, not Ogundaisi, who is from another family.
He therefore called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to resolve all pending matters in order to restore peace and harmony in the community.
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