By Gbenga Ojikutu
The Ekiti State Government, has settled the chieftaincy crisis brewing between the Owa of Odo- Ayedun, Oba Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade and some chiefs over modalities being adopted for the installation of traditional Chiefs in the community.
While mediating in the crisis on Thursday, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, pleaded with the parties to handle the matter with caution and think more of how to maintain peace in the town.
The monarch and the chiefs were embroiled in tussle over the mode of installation of Chiefs in the two quarters of Odo and Emila, with the aggrieved chiefs accusing the monarch of hijacking their powers and trying to make himself the sole authority that can perform such duty in the town.
The Chiefs contended that each of the quarter heads are traditionally empowered to install their chiefs, saying they only need to issue notice of installation to the monarch as a mark of respect to his palace.
Resolving the matter, Mrs Afuye, after listening to all parties, directed the monarch to convene an enlarged peace meeting of the town over the matter, so that the issue of factional crisis can be tackled for the community to chart a new way for its development.
Mrs Afuye told the monarch to stop installing chiefs where he has no power to do so in line with culture and tradition, adding that those already installed by the monarch must return to their quarters to perform all the necessary traditions.
She also warned the quarter heads against issuing emergency notice to the monarch, while planning to install a new Chief as a mark of respect for royalty.
The Deputy Governor also ordered the monarch to immediately release the withheld monthly stipends due to the Chiefs, who had abstained from attending palace meetings, adding that whoever refuses to attend the statutory palace meeting shouldn’t be paid.
Mrs Afuye said the the crisis should be settled among the chiefs and elites to prevent unnecessary divisions, bad blood and bloodshed that would heat up the polity and contravenes the gospel of peace being preached by Governor Oyebanji across the state.
In his submission, Oba Ajibade appreciated the government for intervening the matter, urging all the parties to adhere strictly to the verdict passed by the Deputy Governor for the town to be in peace.
The monarch assured the government that he would champion a peace meeting that would unite the community and bring radical development to the town.
Oba Ajibade appealed to the aggrieved chiefs to forget the past and think more about the future of the community and propagate those things that can promote unity in the town.
