By Ayodele Oni
Supremacy tussle among royal fathers in Ekiti state is yet to abate as two prominent traditional rulers exchange words over seniority.
The Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Faboro are at each other’s throat over the issue of recognition and qualification for the chairmanship of the state Obas Council.
Oba Faboro was first to have made a statement in an interview granted a tabloid to denigrate the office of Alawe, especially his regime as chairman of the state Council of Obas.
Former Governor Kayode Fayemi had appointed Oba Alabi as chairman of the traditional rulers Council against the wish of some first class monarchs in the state.
During his two year reign, some first class Obas boycotted the weekly meeting of the council and took Dr Fayemi to Court on the appointment of Alawe which they saw as a slight on them.
Intervention by prominent indigenes and elders in the state led to amicable resolution and withdrawal of the case from court.
In the latest war of words, Alawe kicked against comments of Olojudo in the interview, especially the aspect regarding his tenure as chairman of Obas Council.
In a statement, Oba Alabi stated that “This is to clearly describe the Olojudo’s statement as a gratuitous that smacks his ignorance of history, unbefitting of a person of his status.
“Olojudo needs to be educated that the ALAWE HAS NEVER BEEN SUBSERVIENT TO ANY OBA IN EKITI even during the colonial days when colonial masters created administrative areas for easy administration and tax collections.
“For Oba Faboro’s information, Governor Fayemi, in his wisdom, looked into the books and the history and the grade of Obas in Ekiti before making Alawe the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers in year 2019.
“No wonder, few of you who did not properly understand the detailed history of Pelupelu went to court on the issue but failed woefully.
“Alawe attained membership of the Pelupelu in 1946 under colonial rulership. How can Olojudo accuse Governor Fayemi of promoting Alawe to that class?
“It clearly shows that the monarch needs some lessons in history. The reference of Olojudo to class disparity between Alawe and Ewi of Ado is unsolicited and a deliberate ploy to fan embers of discord between Alawe and Ewi.
“I wish to state that the two towns, Ilawe and Ado are living together in peace and harmony as neighbours. The relationship between Alawe and Ewi is based on mutual respect and understanding.
“What therefore is the business of Olojudo in all of these ? The people of Ido should advise their monarch to keep to his domain and stop being a purveyor of messages of division and doom among Obas in Ekiti.
“Finally, Olojudo should stop provoking discord among Ekiti monarchs through reckless and inflammatory utterances as the one under reference.
“Alawe as a former Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Council, a status which Olojudo is still struggling to attain, will continue to show respect to the Traditional institution in Ekiti and throughout the country.”
