By Lekan Adejuwon
The Ekiti State Government has invalidated the process leading to the installation of Princess Taiwo Oladimeji, as the Regent of Emure Ekiti, Emure Local Government Area of the State.
The government through the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, branded the process through which the Regent ascended the throne as fraught with illegality and lacking the requisite approval from Governor Biodun Oyebanji- led government.
Princess Oladimeji was installed as the Regent, sequel to the demise of Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, on May 30, 2024, as the monarch belonged to Pelupelu, the topmost among the hierarchies of traditional rulers in the state.
Mrs Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, handed down the harsh verdict, on Tuesday, during a meeting with the critical stakeholders from the community.
Mrs Afuye bemoaned over how the community brazenly flouted the State Chiefs Law, by blatantly refusing to crave government’s approval before proceeding on the installation, saying such illegality can’t stand in the face of the law.
She, however, restated that government was neither planning to impose nor foist anyone on them as Regent, saying the already installed individual can be represented for the coveted stool, thereby amplifying the imperative of strict compliance with the law.
“Let me emphasize here that you have no Regent yet. Why did you have to rush into taking such step without consulting the government ? Why couldn’t you seek government’s approval?
“What you have as far as we are concerned is illegal Regent. We are not here to impose anyone on you, you are free to take whatever steps that suits you, but we are emphasizing the need for you to comply with the State Chiefs Law.
“So, go back home and do what you are supposed to do, so that government can give the Regent the required recognition, because the one you have installed has no government’s approval”, she stated.
Also, Mrs Afuye stoutly debunked the widespread allegation that she was making surreptitious moves to impose one Chief Toyin Ojo, the Olisa of Emure Ekiti and second in command to Elemure as the Regent, describing such accusation as spurious and unfounded.
On the brewing crisis over the delay in the payment of April, May and June stipends to the traditional chiefs due to the illness suffered by the late monarch, Mrs Afuye, commandeered the Chairman of the Council, Hon Oluwatosin Adedayo to rectify the snag and pay with immediate effect.
The Deputy Governor added that the Local Government Chairman, the Head of Local Government Administration and the Director of Finance should be acting as signatories to the Traditional Council Accounts, pending the time a recognised Regent will be enthroned.
In her submission, the Lawmaker representing Emure constituency in the Ekiti House of Assembly, Hon. Maryam Ogunlade, applauded the government for resolving the logjam surrounding the delay in the payment of stipends and installation of the Regent.
Hon Ogunlade assured that the stakeholders will meet,v finetune arrangements and straighten all rough edges to avert unnecessary bedlam that could jeopardise the peace and stability being experienced under the current government.
Other dignitaries at the meeting were: Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atobioke, Emure Local Government Chairman, Hon. Oluwatosin Adedayo, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Mrs Olabisi Akindele, former Assembly member representing Emure constituency, Hon. Febisola Adewale, kingmakers, traditional chiefs, prince and princesses, among others.
