The Ekiti State government has declared the purported installation of one Stephen Ajayi as the Obanla of Ipao-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area as illegal, null and void.
Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi said the purported installation was done contrary to the existing laws governing nomination, selection and installation of kings in the state.
A statement yesterday by Egbeyemi’s media aide, Odunayo Ogunmola, said the full wrath of the law would be visited on those who performed the installation, and the candidate who submitted himself for the installation.
Egbeyemi noted that the illegal installation of Ajayi as the Obanla of Ipao-Ekiti was done on November 12, 2021, and again on May 18, 2022, making it the second time the action was performed without the knowledge, consent and the permission of the government.
The deputy governor emphasised that the law will take care of the situation to prevent a breakdown of law and order that the purported installation could wreak in Ipao-Ekiti.
The statement reads: “The purported installation is clearly against the Ekiti State Chiefs’ Law, and because it is against the law, it is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“It is no longer business as usual, the law will take care of the situation. All those involved in the illegal installation in Ipao-Ekiti will have their date with the law. This government was put in place to uphold the law, and it will not allow some individuals to violate the law and throw any part of the state into chaos.”