The Ekiti State Government has empowered the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, to remove two of his traditional chiefs and kingmakers for alleged insubordination and disrespect to his stool.
The government said the action became expedient, sequel to the recalcitrant postures of the two traditional chiefs and their vehement failure to amend their ways, after two previous suspensions slammed on them by Onigede-in-Council.
The chiefs are The Oluri of Odo Uri Quarters, Chief Sunday Alade and the Odofin of Odo Igede, Chief Emmanuel Adetona.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, handed down the verdict in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday while deliberating on a petition dated 15th April, 2024, and signed by Oba Aladesuru, seeking the leave of the government to remove the chiefs.
In the petition, Oba Aladesuru alleged that Chief Adetona, a high ranking kingmaker, was allegedly dividing Igede Ekiti by running a parallel administration and making desperate efforts to whittle down his influence and derail his control over the town.
The monarch alleged that he had no personal grudge against Chief Alade, but stated that the crisis stemmed from Alade’s outright rejection by the people of Uri quarters, who craved for his outright removal as their head.
Delivering the verdict, Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, said it was utterly disrespectful for the chiefs to have refused to mend fences with the monarch despite being given a nine-month window to reconcile and straighten all issues.
“Kabiyesi is the owner of the town, he knows exactly what he wants to make his town progress. It is sad that the two Chiefs have refused to do the needful despite being given nine months by government to appease the monarch and other aggrieved people.
“It is sad that you are behaving this way, you cant take our government for granted. Kabiyesi, go ahead and take whatever action you sought from us.
“No Chief has the right to be terrorising the traditional ruler or the entire town. It is the Kabiyesi that has the final say on this matter and we grant his request for the progress of his town,” Afuye stated.
Speaking at the parley, Oba Aladesuru, whose position was buttressed by Asa of Igede Ekiti, Chief Ola Ogunrinde, specifically accused Chief Adetona of stoking the ember of discord and instigating the kingmakers against him.
However, the two estranged chiefs denied the allegations, saying they were not holding any parallel administration as alleged by the monarch and other opposing chiefs.
They said efforts to reconcile with Onigede and other aggrieved chiefs had always been rebuffed. They called on the government to give them more time to seek forgiveness, but the plea was rejected.
While appreciating the state government on the matter, the Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Gbenga Oluwatuyi, assured that he will take all necessary steps to ensure peace and orderliness in the town.