The Ekiti State Government, has placed the Elepe of Epe Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government, Oba Williams Adesoye on probation and watch list over consistent agitations by his community that he should be deposed following alleged unruly behaviour and high-handedness.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, on Friday led a team of stakeholders who took the critical decisions at the palace of Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, while interfacing in the lingering disagreement between the monarch and his subjects.
Oba Adesoye has been involved in a running battle with the elites of his community, culminating in his eviction from the palace over alleged tyranny.
Interacting with the stakeholders on the matter, Mrs Afuye, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, pleaded with the angry and adamant youths to give Oba Adesoye a second chance to address some of his shortcomings and infantile conduct.
“What the government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji wants is peace and nothing but peace. You can’t afford to maintain a hard stand on this matter. Let us look at the larger picture, which is the development of Epe Ekiti as a component of this state.
“You can see that Governor Oyebanji is executing some projects in Ijero Local Government, including your town. Your road is under construction. Don’t forget that if you have a crisis, it will be difficult for you to progress. Let us give peace a chance”.
Pronouncing the decision taken by stakeholders, after a closed door meeting, sequel to the initial adamant posture of the elites and youths, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adewole, declared that part of the resolutions is that, the monarch is restrained from entering the palace pending the time the matter will be resolved.
Oba Adewole said Oba Adesoye will be put on probation and made to sign agreement to be of good conduct, while internal mechanisms will be emplaced to resolve the crisis.
The monarch begged the angry elites and youths to temper justice with mercy and allow the crisis to abate.
“During this probation time, the government, myself and the town will be watching him. We pray he changes his ways, so that you his subjects can have a change of mind concerning his situation”.
Earlier before the resolutions were taken, Oba Adewole, counseled the rampaging Epe youth to be circumspect of the fact that there are laid down procedures for the installation of traditional rulers and that Oba Adesoye’s deposition shouldn’t be trivialized or considered a matter they have overriding power over.
Oba Adewole clarified that a monarch can only be removed through three ways: death, insubordination and through the court of law, pointing out that those opposed to Oba Adesoye lacked the legality and power to depose him without the government’s consent.
The monarch added that the embattled king had realized his mistakes and was ready to make amends, appealing to the community to forgive and shelve the option of removal being agitated for.
“It is only the government and court that can remove Oba Adesoye. You have these two options now. Is either you take him to court or youl report his misbehaviour to the government for proper disciplinary actions. There are ways government can go about it.
“Government won’t fold its hands and allow you to demean monarchy or cause crisis for the state”.
Appealing for peace, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, warned the town against stoking uprising, saying such tendency could severely impede the spate of development, particularly the road project being undertaken by the current government in the town.
Atibioke added that Ekiti has about 140 component towns spread across the three senatorial districts, stressing that crisis in any of the component communities could spread and escalate to unmanageable proportion.
Speaking for Epe community, the National Chairman, Epe Progressive Union, Prince Adebowale Alabi, clarified that the town was against the monarch’s disrespect and authoritarian actions, describing some of his behaviours as flagrantly negating the tradition, customs and practice of the people.
Alabi saluted the state government and Ajero for their interest and consistent interventions in the matter, disclosing that the monarch’s temperament can only be regulated if placed on watch list by the governor and made to sign a memorandum to be of good conduct.
Dignitaries at the troubleshooting parley were Chairman, Ijero Local Government, Chief Abayomi Folowosele, traditional rulers, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Leke Adefolaju, his counterpart in the Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Barr Clement Ayoola, community leaders, among others.
