By Lekan Adejuwon
The Ekiti State Government, has warned that any Chief installed in flagrant violation of the Chiefs Law risks three years imprisonment, saying recurrent incidences of chieftaincy tussles are threatening peaceful coexistence among Ekiti residents.
This was part of the recommendations contained in the report of the Reconciliatory Committee set up by government to mediate in the chieftaincy crisis between the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin and Alahan of Ahan -Ayegunle, Oba Durojaye Jegede, in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Alahan, whose community was carved out of Omuo Ekiti and became autonomous, had in November, 2022, petitioned the State government on the installation of another Alahan by Olomuo as a member of his council , which the monarch described as an advertent replication plot targeted at belittling and debasing his stool.
Sequel to this, the government through the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, on 9th December, 2022, composed an eight-man committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Babayomi Opeyemi, to probe into the lingering feud between Omuo and Ahan Ayegunle.
The Committee as part of the terms of reference, was also empowered to fashion out recommendations through which the communal face-off could be nipped in the bud.
As contained in the report submitted to the Deputy Governor, on Monday, the Olomuo was barred from duplicating the Alahan title in his domain, saying undertaking such would be tantamount to a breach of Section 12(2)(b) of the state Chiefs Law.
The Committee, however, clarified that Olomuo, as the prescribed authority over Omuo kingdom, enjoys unfettered powers to install the chiefs in his domain, but advised that the title of Alahan bestowed on one Chief Lawal Okunola should be changed to another nomenclature for peace to reign.
As a way of maintaining balancing, the committee recommended that Alahan should also limit his jurisdiction to Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti and stop superintending over the people of Ahan quarters in Omuo-Ekiti, in spite of the parity in historical affinity, customs and tradition.
The Committee said; “From our findings, none of the communities granted autonomy from Omuo Ekiti like Kota, Isaya, Araromi Ugbeshi, Omuo Oke, had their chieftaincy title replicated or retained in Omuo Ekiti. Alahan shouldn’t be an exception.
“Alahan is a recognised chieftaincy title that had been gazetted like others by givernment . Its replication in Omuo Ekiti will denigrate the chieftaincy title.
“The Ekiti State chiefs Law Section 12(2)(b) states inter alia: “Any person , who not being the person approved as a recognised Chief by the executive council in accordance with this part, permits himself to be installed as such a Chief shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years.
“Chief Lawal Okunola, the Olukosi of Ahan, should henceforth desist from parading himself as Alahan of Ahan quarters , otherwise, the state government will not hesitate to invoke Section 12(2)(b) of the Ekiti State chiefs Law against him”.
Receiving the report, Mrs Afuye, expressed delight that the recommendations were far reaching and have the potential to halt the lingering crisis between these two communities.
The Deputy Governor, who described Governor Biodun Oyebanji as a peace maker, assured that the recommendations would be implemented to foster normalcy and good neighbourliness between the beleaguered communities.
The Deputy Governor, said; “The essence of government’s intervention in chieftaincy disputes between communities, is to ensure peaceful co-existence among our people and to safeguard the sanctity of human lives as well as our property.
“I am assuring you on behalf of the state government that we will act on the recommendations raised in this report.
“I want to appreciate the committee for working speedily on the task before them and came up with this workable report to guide our actions on how to settle this dispute”.
