By Gbenga Ojikutu

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has assured all the ruling houses across the state that the government of Biodun Oyebanji will support any initiative devised by communities to make installation of traditional rulers bereft of crisis.

The Deputy Governor, gave the assurance, on Monday, while interacting with the members of the royal families from Egbe Ekiti, Ayekire Local Government Area over amendment being sought to the names of their Ruling Houses.

The families had unanimously agreed to have the names being currently used by the two ruling houses: Fadumiye and Olokesusi changed to Atiilo and Ibeagbemi Ruling Houses.

Mrs Afuye, who presided over the meeting, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, stressed that the government will support actions taken by any community to stabilise the ruling houses for speedy installation of new Oba.

The Deputy Governor commended the community for being unanimous in the amendment being sought from government, saying this will help in averting future crisis in the town.

She said: “However, we will still do due diligence on this matter by reaching out to other critical stakeholders. This will guide us about the recommendations we will make to the State Executive Council that will grant the approval.

“This is because we don’t want anyone to rise up in future and say they were not carried along in the amendment process. Though, we have seen some evidence that showed that you were unanimous in your decision.

“To us as a government, the action taken was in order . What you are seeking is what we will do. If this is what you think will bring peace and stability to your town, we will support you”.

In his submission, the Owa Egbe, Oba Ayodele Ige, said the decision was jointly taken by the ruling houses to avert future crisis.

Oba Ige, represented by Sasere of Egbe- Ekiti, Chief Omoniyi Ige , justified the action with a claim that Ibeagbemi and Atiilo were the progenitors of Fadumiye and Olokesusi presently being used to represent the two ruling houses.

The monarch said: “This issue was not about anybody fighting over chietaincy in Egbe Ekiti, but we want to go back to our roots. We want to respect our roots.

“Our father, Atiilo, who was a king at a time, was the father to Fadumiye and Ibeagbemi was the father to Olokesusi. How can we abandoned the fathers and our roots and be respecting their sons?

“We appeal to government to change the names to recognise these two heroes. These were the names that joined us together as princes and princesses in the royal houses”.

Defending the action further, two kingmakers from the community, Chiefs Alex Abegunde and Sunday Rotiba, stated that all the high chiefs backed the amendment being sought by the royal families.