Kamarudeen Ogundele, Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has installed a new king for Isan Ekiti – the hometown of the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi – now a Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
The governor presented the Staff and Instrument of Office to the new Onisan, Oba Adejuwon Gabriel Ayodele, following his selection by all the six kingmakers in the town.
Fayose, in a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, assured the people that he would “never play politics or trample on truth or deny any group their rights.”
He said, “As God has made me the leader of the state at this period, I must be fair to all and this I am doing in the handling of state matters. That Isan-Ekiti is the hometown of former Governor Kayode Fayemi does not mean the right thing must not be done.
”Politics should not get to the level of meddling in traditional matters like the selection of monarchs for communities, anybody who does that would have unpleasant consequences to contend with.
“Whoever tries to influence the choice of kings for communities for one reason or the other, will in the end incur the wrath of God. It is God who puts people in positions of authority and anybody who goes against the will of God for a community as far as choosing their leader is concerned, should know that he is contending with God.
“With the demise of the former king, I was told it was the Ilomi Ruling House that would produce the next Onisan and the candidates brought forward by the ruling house were taken to the kingmakers in the town and all the six voted for one candidate who is being given the staff and instrument of office today.
“We don’t meddle in affairs that do not concern us and the process has been peaceful. If there is any aggrieved person among those who contested the stool, he can go to court. On our part, we have done what the laws of the land empower us to do.”
The governor urged Oba Ayodele to extend a hand of friendship and fellowship to other contestants and advised the people to support him for the growth of their town.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, said the stool became vacant following the passing on of Oba Sunday Ajiboye on November 6, 2015.
Oba Ayodele thanked the state government for the transparent manner the selection process was conducted.
He promised to carry everybody along in the running of the affairs of the town.
– PUNCH
