Tension As Gov Fayemi Creates New Town In Ekiti Few Days To Exit

By Ayodele Oni

Less than six days to his exit as Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi may hand over a state engulf in crisis occasioned by hurried decision of the outgoing administration to give recognition to a quarter chief becoming a monarch.

Governor Fayemi, in a letter, dated October, 4, 2022,  from the Bureau of Chieftaincy, had upgraded a quarter within Efon Alaaye community and promoted the quarter chief to a grade C Oba.

The new town identified as Ahun Ekiti from Efon Alaaye community has been part of the autonomous community with the people co habiting peacefully.

The letter indicates that a new King  should ascend the throne of newly created Ahon Ekiti, which formerly was part of the ancient Efon Alaaye Kingdom which has from its inception, known as an indivisible entity.

Governor Fayemi, through the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo and appointed him as a Monarch of Ahun Ekiti.

In a swift reaction to the development, the traditional ruler of Efon Kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare described the development as an affront to the community and Nigeria’s Judicial system.

Oba Aladejare kicked against the recognition of Ahun Ekiti as an autonomous town in the Efon Alaaye community and the appointment of Prince Jacob Adelowo as king of Ahun Ekiti saying the matter is subject to litigation before the Supreme Court in Suit No SC/CV/1063/2021.

The Alaaye who stated this in Ado Ekiti while briefing journalists on the development, said Efon is one entity, adding that a Government white paper on the report of Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission, 2019 frowned at granting Ahun autonomy because the matter is a subject of litigation.

Oba Aladejare wondered why the state government has to hurriedly give Ahun recognition and appointed a monarch, even though the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court describing the state government’s action as an affront to the judiciary.

The government through the Bureau of Chieftancy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo stating that “Consequent upon the recognition of Ahun Ekiti by the Ekiti State Government as an autonomous community, the state government has approved your appointment as the Alahun of Ahun Ekiti and a recognized traditional ruler (Grade C) under the provisions of Ekiti State High Chief Law, 2012″.

The letter was signed by the Bureau’s executive secretary, Morakinyo Adegboyega.

The Alaaye stated that the suit in which he clearly stated his objection to granting autonomy to Ahun filed at the State High Court, was yet to be heard to date.

Ova Aladejare is one of the 16 royal fathers in Ekiti that took Governor Fayemi to Court to challenge his decision to appoint Oba of Ilawe Ekiti as chairman state Council of Obas, before some prominent indigenes waded in and the case was withdrawn.