The Ekiti State Government has resolved the raging chieftaincy crisis brewing in Ilawe Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, over the installation of Mrs Regina Oluwafemi as the Ajakarinde of Okebedo Quarters.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, resolved the crisis in Ado Ekiti on Thursday while mediating in the festering chieftaincy dispute within the Ogbojana family.
She warned that any uprising would automatically affect Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s rural development policy in the town.
The intervention stemmed from a petition written by the head of the family, Mr Maurice Agbadaola, raising serious allegations of manipulation and infractions in the process leading to the installation of Mrs. Oluwafemi with the traditional title.
Troubleshooting the crisis at a meeting attended by stakeholders, Mrs Afuye maintained that the installation performed by the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, remained valid. However, she ordered the occupant of the chieftaincy seat to be proactive and appeal to the aggrieved members in her own interest.
She condemned Chief Maurice Adaramodu, who holds the traditional title of Ajana of Okebedo Quarters, for hoarding the information sent by Oba Alabi when he called for nominations for the coveted seat, keeping it away from Mr Agbadaola, who indisputably remains the family head.
Mrs Afuye urged the family to remain united despite the current crisis, warning that allowing division could rip them apart and reduce their influence in Ilawe Kingdom.
“Let me appeal to the petitioner to allow the installation to stand. But I don’t support the way the family head was shut out of the nomination and installation processes. This is not right.
“We are not going to reverse the process that has already been completed on the premise that the person installed was entitled to the chieftaincy title and was picked by the highest-ranking chief in the family.”
Speaking on the petition, Mr Agbadaola expressed his displeasure over how he was kept in the dark during the nomination and installation processes despite being the head of the family.
Agbadaola clarified that the three family lineages—Olukorode, Faparusi, and Fatukesi—are all entitled to the chieftaincy title from time immemorial, contrary to some claims that only two are eligible.
In his remarks, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Alabi, clarified that his council followed due traditional processes before the installation was performed, stating that the quarters were deeply involved in the nomination and installation processes.
Tracing the trajectory of the crisis, the first-class monarch, represented by Joe Jegede, revealed that the matter started in 2020 when the family was embroiled in conflict over the Ajakarinde chieftaincy title. He explained that he had to intervene and halt the process before the installation was successfully completed recently.
Oba Alabi praised the government for taking a firm position on the matter, urging all interested parties to comply in the interest of unity and peace.
Responding, the new chief, Mrs Regina Oluwafemi, debunked the notion that she was imposed by a chief within the family in flagrant violation of tradition, stating that she was picked through Ifa consultation and the family’s unanimous decision, which prompted her to accept the traditional title.
Mrs Oluwafemi promised to take all necessary actions to unite the family and strengthen their bond, ensuring that her reign would be memorable.
The Chairman of the Council, Hon Richard Apolola, assured that the government’s position—that peace should reign—would be enforced and upheld by all stakeholders.
Oyebanji government resolves chieftaincy dispute in Ilawe Ekiti
