Row with Ekiti monarchs: Alaafin writes Fayemi

Our Reporter

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, has advised the Ekiti State governor,  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to reverse his earlier decision to appoint a chairman outside the 16 Ekiti prominent crowned monarchs.

The 16 traditional rulers had challenged Dr. Fayemi over the appointment of the  Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as chairman of the state traditional council.

Alaafin, in a letter on behalf of some prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland, written to Dr. Fayemi, said: “In respect of recent happenings in Ekiti State with regards to traditional rulership in the state under your Excellency’s leadership.

“Specifically, this is in respect of the composition of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state. Let me start by saying that the sacrosanct of Pelupelu that grades the sixteen crowned obas in Ekiti land is not in doubt .

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Suffice to say Your Excellency that in any human society and more so in Yorubaland orders of hierarchy and seniority are of vital consideration in position placement.

“From time immemorial,  the obaship leadership in Ekiti land had been within the 16 obas without any dispute or quarrel among them and indeed in the admiration of other Yoruba Kingdoms”.

Among those Alaafin contacted included: Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II – The Ooni of Ife;

Oba Oba Sikiru Adetona Ogbagba II – The Awujale of Ijebuland;  Oba Gbadebo Adedotun- The Alake of Egbaland; Oba Adekunle Aramolaran – The Owa Obakun of Ijesaland; Oba AbdulWahab Oyedotun Bibire II- The Orangun of Ila; and Oba Kehinde Olugbile- The Olu of Ilaro and the paramount ruler of Yewaland.