The Ekiti State Government on Thursday resisted attempts by some kingmakers to reverse the selection of Prince Adebomi Babalola as the new Alararomi of Araromi Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area.
The government also directed the kingmakers to, within seven days, write to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs to submit the name of the new Oba-elect for the town to begin the process for his installation in line with the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.
Addressing the stakeholders from the town on Thursday, the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, appealed to the kingmakers to refrain from scuttling the process that had been adjudged as transparent and straightforward.
Through Ifa consultation, Prince Babalola from the Odimulele royal dynasty emerged among four contenders on February 18, 2023, but was not officially presented to the government by kingmakers as the validly selected candidate.
The Deputy Governor, according to a statement by her media assistant, Victor Ogunje, faulted the position canvassed by some kingmakers that the process was allegedly hijacked, saying the video clip that captured the selection process vividly attested to how credible the process was.
Mrs Afuye posited that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, being a promoter of peace and unity, doesn’t want any upheaval in any of the towns over a kingship tussle, saying the attempt to reverse a process that had already been concluded could stoke the fire of discord in the town.
“Let me appeal to the kingmakers not to derail the process because the candidate you supported didn’t emerge. The fact that your candidate didn’t emerge doesn’t vitiate the process. Only one person can be king at a time.
The deputy governor reportedly said: “We have all watched the video capturing the selection process. Where could you fault or point to the area where manipulation occurred? It was a transparent process and we should all be happy about this.
“Any town without a substantive king will find it difficult to develop. It is better that you allow this credible process to stand.
“I hereby appeal to you to, within seven days, write officially to the ministry and present the candidate to begin the process for his installation. This is in your own interest and the interest of the town.”
Mrs Afuye commended the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti and the prescribed authority in the Council, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, for providing wise counsel during the selection process
Addressing the stakeholders, Oba Adewole disagreed vehemently with those calling for the reversal of the process, describing the exercise leading to the emergence of Prince Babalola as “clean, clear, and transparent.”
The first-class monarch warned the kingmakers against derailing the selection process, saying the backlash of such action could have dire consequences.
The Chairman of Ijero Local Government, Adeola Adeyemo, restated that available information from the council officials who monitored the process attested to the fact that the selection of Prince Babalola was credible and transparent.
The council boss praised the government for not interfering in the process, saying that further amplified how revered the traditional institution has become in Ekiti.
Meanwhile, the government has also directed the Araromi Obo Ekiti kingmakers to begin the process for the installation of Prince Ebenezer Ojo as the new Elemoba of Araromi Obo in the Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The deputy governor took the decision following the readiness of the kingmakers to officially present the Oba-elect as the new Elemoba to the state government.
Ekiti govt resists attempts to reverse Oba-elect’s selection