‘YOMI AYELESO, who visited the Araromi-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state reports that the peace in the community is being threatened by the tussle over the choice of a new traditional ruler. He says here that the intervention of the state government appears to be dousing the tension.
Before now, Araromi-Ekiti community in Ekiti state was known for its peaceful and quiet nature , but the situation is considerably changing , which is giving stakeholders, especially residents, sleepless nights.
The cause of the impasse is the tussle to fill the vacant stool of the community’s traditional ruler after Oba Caleb Adeoye Falomo who joined his ancestors in December 2022.
Since the demise of the traditional ruler, residents and other stakeholders have been meeting to initiate the process of picking a new monarch for the community. However, this process has generated a crisis among different groups interested in the throne.
No fewer than four eligible princes from the Odimulele ruling house are contesting for the throne. They are Babalola Adeniji, Afolayan Ademola, and Babatunde Babalola.
Earlier last year, February 18, 2023 to be precise, it was learnt that the kingmakers commenced the process of picking a new traditional ruler through the usual Ifa consultation. After the process said to be witnessed by officials of the government from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and other security agencies, Babatunde Babalola was said to have been picked by the oracle.
This development did not go down well with other contestants and other citizens who have raised objections to the process and alleged compromise of the traditional consultation. This has sharply divided the town and has raised tension among the residents.
Saturday Tribune observed that the parties are not backing down on their push for the stool of Alararomi with their actions and utterances.
Two of the contestants, Babalola Adeniji and Afolayan Ademola who jointly addressed newsmen recently alleged that there were plans to compromise the process by some individuals in government to the advantage of one of the princes from the Odimulele ruling house.
While insisting that he was not desperate to be crowned the next traditional ruler, Adeniyi added that the people of the community would not accept a biased process in favour of one of them.
He argued that the peace and progress of the community should be the paramount concern of the people in authority, warning that any form of imposition would be vehemently resisted.
He said, “ As you all know, we are princes from the Odimulele ruling house and it is sad that one of us is doing everything possible to claim the throne through the backdoor.
“Let it be on record that we are not desperate to become traditional ruler of our community but we want the normal processes to be followed and we will cooperate with whoever emerges.
“We are calling on the governor, Biodun Oyebanji to step in and save the community from the crisis; let the right thing be done ,especially as regards the traditional consultation. We know the governor is not aware of the actions of some government officials in respect to the vacant seat.
“Of course , we have filed a suit in the court for the selection process to start again, after the initial one which was faulty.”
On his part, Prince Ademola said the state government should be fair to all contestants for the throne in the interest of peace in the community, saying, “the government should not impose anyone on us.”
In a new twist to the agitation , some residents stormed the premises of the State House of Assembly in Ado-Ekiti, to protest against one of the princes who was said to have been picked by the Ifa Oracle for the throne.
The leader of the protesters, Olusola Aina accused Babalola of not being fit to be made the traditional ruler of the community, adding that the people were against his emergence.
He alleged that there were moves to impose him on the community through a compromised traditional consultation.
But, Babatunde Babalola denied the allegations from the protesters, adding that all documents they are parading were not related to him, describing them as fake.
He noted that the process for the selection was transparent and was monitored by officials of the state government including security agencies.
He said, “I don’t know what they are talking about regarding the certificate because the government has not asked me to submit any documents or that I must have certificates to become a traditional ruler.
“The Kingmakers sometime ago brought an Ifa priest, I don’t know the man and I was not there when they consulted the oracle, the people of the community, security agencies and government officials were there.
“Even as a contestant, I was only told about the consultation three days to the day. We have video and pictorial evidence of the process and the person who was picked by the Ifa oracle was announced by the head of the kingmakers. So, I don’t know why they are talking about manipulation of the process.
“No government is imposing me on the community , it is not possible because if Ifa oracle did not pick me, there is nothing that can be done by the government.”
Babalola called on the people to be calm and allow the selection process to continue, saying,” these people are already in court, and I wonder why they couldn’t wait for the judiciary to adjudicate on the matter before blackmailing everybody around.”
The President of Araromi Progressives Union, Olusegun Agboola explained that the people allegedly instigating crises in the community were in the minority and were pursuing personal interest, adding that the process was transparent in the picking of the next traditional ruler for the community.
He said: “Those that are doing this are from the minority, they said they didn’t want the chosen kabiyesi to have peace and his well-wishers.
“The Ifa oracle consultation was done on the 18th of February, 2023 There are four contestants, and there is no way four of them can be on the thrown at a time
“Before the decision, they asked them,” Are you going by Ifa or voting? “they said the traditional way and in Oduduwa land, an Oba is chosen by the Ifa oracle. The entire community agreed on it, the representatives from Local and State governments were here on the day of the decision.”
Speaking on the way forward, Agboola who is the head of the warriors in the community said, “ Enough is enough, let the government tell them to stop all the commotion and pandemonium they are bringing to this little village, that has been retarding the progress of the town.
“Let the government step in and take a decisive action before these people throw the whole community into total chaos. Even though we know the issue is already in court, let the chosen prince be crowned which will ultimately douse the tension.
“Before the obaship tussle, we had been living together in peace and we are pleading with the government to call these minority to order in the interest of our community. We need to move forward as a town.”
Another stakeholder from the community, Prince Adeyinka Olatunji urged the state governor to call the warring groups together and declare government’s position on the vacant Alararomi stool, noting that the silence from the authorities might be fueling the unrest.
“Let the government call the stakeholders together and tell us their decision, government decision supersedes every other one. During the time of Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, it happened like that but the government stepped in and it was resolved.
“Let the government set aside a day for us and settle this matter once and for all, and let the Oba come in since he has been selected. They should just announce the date of coronation and he should be installed,” he said.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Monisade Afuye, who superintends over the traditional institution, at a troubleshooting meeting in her office resolved the imbroglio brewing over the selection among contending forces and interested parties.
The government, she said, had no preferred candidate but only accepted the selection and nomination made by the concerned ruling house and kingmakers after Ifa consultation.
Mrs Afuye maintained that blackmailing the government and accusing it of nepotism in the matter was grossly misplaced, saying the government of Biodun Oyebanji was incurably committed to equity, fairness and transparency in chieftaincy matters across all towns in the state.
The deputy governor assured the Araromi indigenes, contenders for the coveted stool, and other critical stakeholders to hold the firm belief that the government would do what is just and right to all parties, as well as operate stringently in line with Alararomi Chieftaincy Declaration.
Mrs Afuye urged the contenders to perceive the selection process as a no victor, no vanquished contest, and as one done to promote unity and oneness among Araromi Ekiti and its people.
The Deputy Governor appealed to those who were making caustic and inflammatory comments on the matter to desist, to give room for the already tensed atmosphere in the community to subside.
The special assistant on media to the deputy governor, Victor Ogunje, in a statement said the video capturing the Ifa consultation during the selection process was shown to stakeholders to further substantiate the level of transparency that was upheld.
