Dr Kayode Fayemi’s government in Ekiti State has declared that it would not tolerate any chaos and anarchy in Ilamo Ekiti in Ikole Local Government over the chieftaincy dispute on the position of Eleeshe of Ulara Quarters.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who gave the warning during a peace meeting with stakeholders from the community, urged them to toe the line of peace and never involve themselves in acts that could lead to breakdown of law and order.
According to a statement during the week by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the emergency peace meeting was called to douse the tension generated by the purported appointment and installation of another Eleeshe of Ulara Quarters by the Alamo, Oba Adebayo Awoseyila.
Otunba Egbeyemi affirmed that the only Eleeshe recognised by the state government is the current occupant of the seat, Chief Ezekiel Olanipekun, condemning the purported installation of one Olajiire Olayode by the Alamo which he said violated the State Chiefs Law.
The Deputy Governor also said the action ran contrary to government’s earlier directive that parties in the dispute should maintain status quo and not resort to self-help pending the resolution of the matter which is before the court of law.
Following submissions from parties, the Deputy Governor subsequently referred the matter to a committee of the State Council of Traditional Rulers which is expected to turn in its report to guide the state government on the resolution of the crisis.
The Deputy Governor cautioned Chief Olanipekun against resort to violence advising him to go back home and join hands with the Alamo since his application for autonomy did not succeed saying “Chief Olanipekun is not an Oba but a chief under Alamo.”
Otunba Egbeyemi said no perpetrator of violence in the town would go unpunished as government was ready to visit the full wrath of the law on troublemakers.
He used the forum to caution traditional chiefs demanding autonomy for their quarters to toe the line of peace and not take the law into their hands in pursuit of their bid.
While noting that the demand for autonomy was not against the law, Otunba Egbeyemi counselled that nobody should hide under such demand to engage in any unlawful activity that can undermine peaceful coexistence.
According to him, Governor Kayode Fayemi wants peace and tranquility to prevail in all communities to facilitate sustainable development and fulfillment of his administration’s development agenda.
Chief Olanipekun had earlier alleged that the Alamo had installed Olayode as the Eleeshe contrary to the directive of the state government and in defiance of the court.
He claimed that some youths of the community were spoiling for a showdown but the intervention of security agencies prevented a breakdown of law and order.
The Alamo, Oba Awoseyila, denied ever appointing another Eleeshe saying he had an intention to do so because Chief Olanipekun has failed to perform his traditional duties despite the government’s order that he should maintain peace and and palace meetings.
The monarch accused the chief of recalcitrant behaviour and sponsoring attacks on some individuals and destruction of palace property.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
