By Taiwo Erioluwa
The Ekiti State Government, has appealed to Onigede of Igede Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State, Oba James Aladesuru, not to depose embattled Chief Sunday Alade who was accused of insubordination and abuse of powers by his subjects.
Chief Alade, who is the Oluri of Uri quarters in Igede Ekiti, has been facing stiff opposition from chiefs and youths in his quarters over alleged insubordination to Onigede and forceful hijack of people’s lands for personal use.
In a letter written to the state government and dated July 11, 2023 by Oba Aladesuru, the monarch, said the quarters, had in a letter dated July 4, 2023 resolved that Chief Alade be removed and replaced with Mr. Yomi Afolabi, as requested by the people.
Presiding over the lingering crisis, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, appealed to the community to spare the embattled Chief and give him another three months to seek full reconciliation with his aggrieved subjects.
Mrs Afuye warned that forceful removal of any traditional title holder from office often escalate to communal crisis, saying any preventable uprising in Igede Ekiti over this matter would be antithetical to the gospel of peace being spread by Governor Biodun Oyebanji across Ekiti.
She said: “We are here to maintain peace in line with the objective of Governor Biodun Oyebanji that security of lives and property in all the towns must guaranteed , so we won’t allow bloodshed or violence in your community under any guise.
“I hereby direct Chief Alade to return all the seized lands in his custody to the rightful owners. I appeal to all of you, if you remove him, that will not solve the problem, the crisis has just started with such action because his people too will revolt against that .
“The mere fact that he went all the way to beg for forgiveness shows that he has regretted his actions, so let us forgive him.
“I learnt he has started attending the meeting of Onigede- in -Council and he also distanced himself from the litigation filed against Oba Aladesuru by some Kingmakers for promoting some lesser chiefs to higher ranks.
This shows he has respect for royalty. I believe removing him from office is not the best option”.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the youth to accept the embattled chief’s apologies and attend any meeting called by Chief Alade to advance the development of that section of the town.
In his response to the barrage of allegations leveled against the estranged Chief, Oba Aldesuru, clarified that his letter to government was predicated on the request by the quarters that Chief Alade be removed owing to his recalcitrant posture and failure to convene the meeting of his quarters.
The monarch said he harbours no ill-feelings against the embattled Chief despite his shortcomings and that efforts would be intensified to pacify all aggrieved parties to soft-pedal on the matter.
He, however, noted that Chief Alade can only be spared if he changes his ways and seek true reconciliation with his subjects.
