Ekiti Govt Restores Monarch, Five Years After Abdicating Throne Over Religious Differences

By Ayodele Oni

There is hope of possible return for a traditional ruler in Ekiti state that was chased away from the throne by his people for five years.

The Ekiti State Government, has brought back to the throne the embattled  Obasaoye of Isaoye, Moba  Local Government Area of the state, Oba Damilare Olajide Gabriel after tendering apology to his Chiefs.

The monarch had been having a battle with his chiefs, since 2018, for allegedly taking step to exterminate all traditional festivals in the community, which prompted the chiefs to commence a process of deposing  him and install a successor.

Oba Damilare, in the heat of the crisis, had abdicated the throne and stood his ground not to participate in  worshipping of deities on the strength of his religious belief.

The matter was resolved in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, during a peace parley with the two warring factions to resolve the lingering crisis.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement by his Media Aide, Victor Ogunje, described as inappropriate, a statement allegedly made by Oba Damilare at a peace meeting, that he would  not participate personally and financially in any traditional festival.

Based on his pledge to change and partake in all traditional activities being held by the community, Mrs Afuye pleaded with the Chiefs to allow the monarch to return, saying this remains the best way to foster peace and development at Isaoye.

The deputy governor, also directed the embattled monarch to sign a document that would lend credence to his readiness to support traditional festivals.

“The government will watch our Kabiyesi  for six months before realeasing his outstanding salaries to him.

“If he doesn’t cooperate with the town, then we can begin a process of deposition, but I know that things will not get to this level. Please, give him this second  chance.

“The monarchs are the custodians of our culture and tradition . The essence of being a monarch is to be leader of all religions, particularly the  traditional one. You can’t be a king and be working against your subjects’  wishes and interests, you must cooperate with them.

“If you are removed from this throne, it will affect your lineage. Try and mend fences by cooperating with your chiefs to celebrate your culture and  tradition.”

While apologising to his Chiefs, the monarch promised to sign a document compiled by his chiefs indicating his readiness to embrace tradition.

“Let me also appeal that they should forgive all my past mistakes and cooperate with me to move the town forward. As a sitting Obasaoye, I have a date with history and I don’t want anything that will affect my lineage in the future.

“I am ready to cooperate with you by doing all your requests. I also thank the state government for intervening severally in this matter”.

The Obaisa of Isaoye and second in command, Chief Joseph Ogidi, said the town had no issue with the monarch other than for him to rescind his decision to obliterate all traditional deities in the town.

Ogidi promised that the Chiefs and the  town will be ready to cooperate with the monarch if he change his earlier posture and demonstrate his readiness to abide by their demands.