… Alleges manipulation plot

… Cites risk of litigation, crisis

 

The Oduduwa Citizen Liberation Vanguard (OCLV) has cautioned the Ekiti State Government against attempts to alter the established selection process for the new Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, describing such a move as a breach of the rule of law that could trigger litigation and avoidable tension in the ancient town.

The group, in a statement jointly signed by its coordinator, Korede Olanipekun, and secretary, Abiola Kupolati, appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to ensure the process is concluded strictly in line with the gazetted Ekiti State Chieftaincy Declaration (2024) without political interference.

According to OCLV, the constitutional role of the Kingmakers must be protected, arguing that the Ekiti State Government is neither listed as Kingmakers nor authorized by the Declaration to appoint Ifa priests.

The group warned that any attempt to amend the existing Chieftaincy Declaration through executive order, or to abandon the process already conducted, would amount to a breach of the rule of law.

The group stressed that the selection process had already advanced under the supervision of government officials, stating that “it involved eight contestants from the Olokun Ruling House and was conducted in accordance with the Chieftaincy Declaration.” The exercise included Ifa divination, which produced three best-qualified contestants: Prince Tope Ademiluyi, Prince Oluwafemi Akinlabi, and Prince Adewumi Adetoyinbo.

“Thereafter, the 12 recognized kingmakers voted. The result was a 6-6 tie between Prince Oluwafemi Akinlabi and Prince Tope Ademiluyi, while Prince Adewumi Adetoyinbo received no vote.”

OCLV stated that the exercise, from screening through Ifa divination to voting, was conducted and supervised by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Atibioke; the permanent secretary; and other government officials, describing it as free, fair, and transparent.

However, the group alleged that the deputy governor and the commissioner for chieftaincy affairs were attempting to hijack the constitutional role of the kingmakers by ordering another round of Ifa consultation outside the legal process in favor of a preferred candidate.

The controversy stems from a directive issued by the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, who ruled out voting by kingmakers, describing it as “a fertile ground for bribery and manipulation.”

She maintained that Ifa divination remained the standard practice and most respectable way of choosing a king in Yoruba land.

OCLV recalled that Aramoko-Ekiti has a precedent for resolving a tie, disclosing that “During the selection that produced the late Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi and Prince Segun Aderemi, the head of kingmakers directed a re-vote instead of abandoning the exercise.”

The group dismissed allegations that kingmakers had been bribed as baseless, stating that its findings did not show that any kingmaker collected money from any contestant.

“Our position is not in support of any particular prince. We are defending the supremacy of the law, the integrity of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Declaration, and the sanctity of the Yoruba traditional institution. Government must resist every temptation to manipulate the process and instead allow due process, justice, and transparency to prevail,” the group stated.