Following recurrent supremacy battles between some kings and their chiefs, the Ekiti State Government has restated that the law barring the chiefs from wearing beaded crown or parade themselves as traditional rulers is still in force.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, restated this in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday 23rd May 2024, while interfacing with stakeholders from Odo- Owa Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area, to resolve a fierce supremacy battle between Olowa, Oba Ayorinde Oyedeji and one of his chiefs.
The mediation was sequel to a petition written by Olowa, accusing Obadogun of Idogun Quarters, Chief Ayo Ajayi, of allegedly engaging in supremacy battle with him and disrespecting his stool, by installing chiefs in his quarters without authorisation..
According to Mrs Afuye, the status quo should remain and must be respected, which connotes that Obadogun must bow to the authority of Olowa under the current circumstance.
Mrs Afuye also reversed the trend whereby proceeds of traditional ceremony and other entitlements are divided between Olowa and Obadogun equally, saying the traditional ruler should henceforth take the larger share as a mark of honour for his highly venerated seat .
She also mandated the chiefs to take authority from the monarch before installing any Chief in his quarters to give respect to Olowa’s exalted position as the prescribed authority.
However, as a reprieve, the Deputy Governor appealed to the monarch to pay the withheld monthly stipend of the embattled traditional Chief in the spirit of unity and truce broking process.
Warning Obadogun against actions that could debase royalty, she said:” Your quarters just requested for autonomy and as long as you have not been granted, you remain a quarter in Odo Owa Ekiti and Olowa, who is the prescribed authority must be respected .
“Olowa too as the leader must embrace Obadogun and ensure that all his rights are given to him as number two in the hierarchy of chiefs. Don’t take actions that could trigger insurrection in contravention of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s peace building policy” .
Speaking on his petition, Oba Oyedeji, said the resolution reached during the tenure of former Governor Kayode Fayemi was that, Obadogun should perform his traditional duties under him, pending the time his request for autonomy would be approved.
The monarch applauded the government and promised that all the estranged Chief’s withheld monthly stipends will be released immediately as ordered by the government.
In his response, the defendant, denied the accusations that he was installing Chiefs in his quarters without Olowa’s approval, saying appropriate ratifications were sought before taking such action.
On why he abdicated his duties, the traditional Chief claimed that he decided to stay off the activities in the palace because Olowa was allegedly denying him of his entitlements, which he described as a debasement of his exalted position as number two in the town.
Describing the supremacy battle as unnecessary, the Chairman of Ijero Local Government, Hon. Abayomi Folowosele, appreciated the state government for resolving the matter, promising to monitor the situation and ensure that government’s orders are complied with wholesomely.
