By ORIOLA AFOLABI
The Ekiti State Government says all the petitions written against the selection process to fill the Onijesa of Ijesamodu Ekiti vacant stool is null and void having critically examined all the allegations raised by three other Contestants.
Otunba Egbeyemi stated this in Ado-Ekiti at the sixth meeting with the Kingmakers, Contestants and Head of Ruling House in Ijesamodu Ekiti over the selection process to fill the vacant stool.
One of the Petitioner who is also a Contestant, Prince Sunday Samuel Oyeyemi wrote in his petition that the Regent of Ijesamodu Ekiti who doubled as Head of Kingmakers, High Chief Olufemi Fayemi that he is not a genuine Chief and not qualified to participate in the selection process, While Prince Oladapo Ogunsola who did not to contribute amount given to Contestants and failed to show up for the screening, wrote that he was excluded in the process even though his father is Head of the Ruling House and dully informed.
The third Petitioner, Prince Olarewaju Oyeyemi claimed that he was not satisfied with the selection process.
During the interrogations, the Deputy Governor Otunba Bisi asked them questions and failed to give reasonable answer but want the process to be cancelled.
The Deputy Governor sought from the Head of the Ruling House whether he was aware that his son is one of the Contestants and affirmed this by saying yes.
Otunba Egbeyemi who described the allegations raised by the three Contestants as baseless, expressed worry that how could a Contestant agreed to pay and show up for screening at the presence of Chiefs they had earlier claimed not qualified, and failed to speak out having noticed irregularities and later wrote petitions when the outcome did not favour him.
The Deputy Governor said that Government hold in high esteem the decision of Council of Obas in Ilejemeje, Local Government, and the Kingmakers because its followed due process.
He noted that the selection of Oba must be in accordance with the Ekiti State Chieftancy laws and all the processes were dully followed.
Otunba Egbeyemi warned that the government would not tolerate any act of violence in Ijesamodu Ekiti and anyone caught fomenting trouble in the town would be punished.
He called on Chiefs and Individuals promoting violence to rescind their decision and embrace peace, claiming that Government would soon make it decision known on the matter.
Otunba Egbeyemi observed that only the Kingmakers had power to select a King and not Government, adding that administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi would not support individual or group who might plan to cause problems.
