The Biodun Oyebanji-led government in Ekiti State has appealed to the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government area of the state, Oba James Aladesuru, to reinstate the Oluri of Uri quarters, Chief Sunday Alade, who was suspended from the council over alleged sundry offences.
The government appealed that the Onigede -in- Council should give the suspended Chief a second chance as a cabinet member to rebrand and make amends to some of his alleged shortcomings, failing which the town can now wield the bigstick and expel him from the council.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, made the plea yesterday while mediating in a crisis involving the Onigede-in-Council and aggrieved people of Uri quarters, who were miffed by alleged shady conduct by Chief Alade.
The mediation was sequel to a petition written by Onigede and some aggrieved individuals, accusing Chief Alade of engaging in land grabbing, extortion, disobedience to traditional institution and oppression of those he was expected to superintend over in his quarters.
Addressing the two parties in her office during the mediation parley, Mrs Afuye, warned the embattled Chief to respect tradition and take copious action to redeem his image by going to Onigede and broker truce with him.
The Deputy Governor advised Chief Alade not to rely solely on the Court’s judgement ordering his reinstatement, saying he can only be properly integrated into the cabinet if he exhibits penitence and seeks for forgiveness.
The Deputy Governor said; “Let me appeal to Kabiyesi, the chiefs and the aggrieved youths to allow the reinstatement of Chief Alade. The government can only foster unity, we can’t destroy your town by saying that you should expel him.
“Give him rules and conditions he should abide with for him to be integrated and allow to take full rulership in his quarters. Allow him to adjust himself and behave the way a Chief is expected to behave .
“I am now directing him to write formally and seek for forgiveness and if he fails to adjust, then write back to the government to give you the right direction on the next line of action”.
Speaking at the parley, Oba Aladesuru, revealed that the Chief was rejected by his council, following allegations raised against him by chiefs and youths of his quarters over sundry offences he allegedly committed.
The monarch added that the embattled Chief should go and make peace with the aggrieved people in his quarters for him to gain recognition in the traditional council of Igede-Ekiti.
However, Chief Alade, who debunked all the allegations leveled against him, promised to commence a fence-mending mission with the council for the matter to be resolved amicably.
He thanked the state government for the gesture, saying the step taken would help in solving the lingering crisis in the community.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
