The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has
assured all the ruling houses across the state that the government of
Biodun Oyebanji will support any initiative devised by communities to
make installation of traditional rulers bereft of crisis.
The Deputy Governor, gave the assurance, on Monday, while interacting
with the members of the royal families from Egbe Ekiti, Ayekire Local
Government Area over amendment being sought to the names of their
Ruling Houses.
The families had unanimously agreed to have the names being currently
used by the two ruling houses: Fadumiye and Olokesusi changed to
Atiilo and Ibeagbemi Ruling Houses.
Mrs Afuye, who presided over the meeting, in a statement by her
Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, stressed that the
government will support actions taken by any community to stabilise
the ruling houses for speedy installation of new Oba.
The Deputy Governor commended the community for being unanimous in the
amendment being sought from government, saying this will help in
averting future crisis in the town.
She said: “However, we will still do due diligence on this matter by
reaching out to other critical stakeholders. This will guide us about
the recommendations we will make to the State Executive Council that
will grant the approval.
“This is because we don’t want anyone to rise up in future and say
they were not carried along in the amendment process. Though, we have
seen some evidence that showed that you were unanimous in your
decision.
“To us as a government, the action taken was in order . What you are
seeking is what we will do. If this is what you think will bring peace
and stability to your town, we will support you”.
In his submission, the Owa Egbe, Oba Ayodele Ige, said the decision
was jointly taken by the ruling houses to avert future crisis.
Oba Ige, represented by Sasere of Egbe- Ekiti, Chief Omoniyi Ige ,
justified the action with a claim that Ibeagbemi and Atiilo were the
progenitors of Fadumiye and Olokesusi presently being used to
represent the two ruling houses.
The monarch said: “This issue was not about anybody fighting over
chietaincy in Egbe Ekiti, but we want to go back to our roots. We want
to respect our roots.
“Our father, Atiilo, who was a king at a time, was the father to
Fadumiye and Ibeagbemi was the father to Olokesusi. How can we
abandoned the fathers and our roots and be respecting their sons?
“We appeal to government to change the names to recognise these two
heroes. These were the names that joined us together as princes and
princesses in the royal houses”.
Defending the action further, two kingmakers from the community,
Chiefs Alex Abegunde and Sunday Rotiba, stated that all the high
chiefs backed the amendment being sought by the royal families.
