By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti State Government has told Traditional rulers in the state that they have no power to remove chiefs enthroned under the chiefs law by the state government.
Government also warned monarchs in state to stop disrespecting invitation to meetings, as this act amounts to insubordination.
The State Government has therefore nullified the deposition of a kingmaker, Oisajigan of Ejigan Quarters in Efon Alaaye, Efon Local Government Area, Chief Kehinde Oladapo by the Alaaye of Efon and paramount ruler of the kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.
The government made its position known while presiding over a complaint lodged by Chief Oladapo about his alleged brazen removal from his exalted stool by Alaaye over irreconcilable differences without following due process.
However, in the letter written by Alaaye in support of his action, the monarch accused the Chief of disrespect by dressing in beaded crowns and other royal regalia and abdicated his duties in the palace, which he said were acts of insubordination.
Presiding over the matter, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, pleaded with the monarch to comply with the government’s position and reverse the Chief’s removal in the interest of peace.
Afuye, in a statement by Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, urged the embattled Chief to comply with the government’s directive that no traditional Chief should wear beaded crowns, caps and other traditional insignia exclusively reserved for royalty.
“The Ekiti State Chiefs Law is very clear and unambiguous, if you want to remove any traditional ruler or Chief, the government that appointed him must be aware. Nobody can remove any traditional Chief without the government knowing about it.
“On this basis, we reject the action and plead with Kabiyesi Alaaye to reverse it and reabsorb the Chief back to his cabinet in the interest of peace.
“The Chief has even displayed enough penitence by sending emissaries to Alaaye to plead on his behalf.
“Nobody can just depose a king or Chief without consulting the government. It is the government that can ratify this. Again, Governor Biodun Oyebanji wants peace in all the towns in Ekiti.”
Warning traditional Chiefs against adorning themselves with beaded crowns and other royal fabrics, the Deputy Governor reminded that the government has not granted the autonomy requested by Ejigan Quarters and urged that they should continue to be under the full control of Alaaye pending the time the request will be approved.
Lending credence to the position canvassed by the deputy governor, the commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, said request for autonomy by Ejigan Quarters of Efon Alaaye doesn’t connote that the Chief should be unruly to the paramount ruler .
Atibioke appealed to Alaaye to pardon the Chief as part of the fence-mending measures, adding that government must also be notified before disciplinary action in form of deposition can be taken against any traditional Chief.
“Before any deposition can take place, they ought to set up a committee to try the Chief and notify the government before he could be deposed. He is not just a chief, but a kingmaker. On this basis, the government reject the deposition”.
Speaking about Oba Aladejare’s absence at the parley, the Commissioner, expressed disenchantment with the ways some traditional rulers willfully turned down government’s summons for a peace initiative on chieftaincy matters, describing such conduct as a show of disrespect to the state government.
“When we invited any town or monarch for a peace meeting, it is the government that does that. We want our monarchs to understand this. We didn’t like the idea of monarchs turning down government’s summons, this must stop. We won’t tolerate it any longer”.
In his defence, the Asao of Efon Alaaye, Chief Adewale Dada, who represented Oba Aladejare, said the deposition slammed on the Chief was based on his unruly behaviour to the monarch and not out of victimisation.
The monarch promised to mend fences with the Chief as long as he displays readiness to respect tradition and be alive to his responsibilities in the town.
