Ekiti govt canvasses peaceful selection of new monarch

The Ekiti State Government has called on stakeholders in the selection
of the new Onijesamodu of Ijesamodu Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local
Government to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the selection
process.

The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi said the government would
not allow the peace and tranquillity of the community disrupted by any
acts of violence before, during and after the process.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the
Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the stool of the Onijesamodu became
vacant following the demise of the late Oba Samuel Osatuyi, who died
in December 2018 after spending 49 years on the throne.

Egbeyemi made the remarks on Tuesday in his office in Ado Ekiti during
a meeting with the Regent of the town, Kingmakers, some members of the
ruling house and representatives of the youths.

While explaining the process of choosing an Oba for a town, Egbeyemi
said it must be in tandem with the extant laws and tradition of the
town maintaining that government cannot choose a king for the
community but was only interested in a peaceful and transparent
process

Egbeyemi expressed displeasure on the attacks meted out to some chiefs
and some indigenes of the town by suspected hoodlums in the community.

The Deputy Governor warned the youths of the town to embrace peace
while stressing that anyone found culpable would be made to pay for
his action by facing the full wrath of the law.

Reading from page 113 of the approved Chieftaincy Declaration report
of Onijesa of Ijesa Iye written during the era of Ero Local Government
in the old Ondo State, Egbeyemi said there are 3 ruling houses in the
town, namely, Asa, Owa and Elewu.

Egbeyemi said the four kingmakers had formed a quorum to choose the
next king for the town, saying the Gazette had clearly shown that the
Owa ruling house was the next qualified family where the next Oba
would be chosen.

The Deputy Governor told the kingmakers and head of the concerned
ruling houses not to be biased in the consultation of Ifa Oracle and
the overall selection process.

The head of Owa ruling house, Mr Olabode Oyeyemi said the names of the
contestants had already been submitted to the kingmakers for proper
scrutiny.

The meeting was attended by Ilejemeje Local Government Chairman, Mr
Akin Oladunjoye who led other officials of the council while the
kingmakers were led by Prof. Oluremi Fayemi.