…Plead with monarch to prevail on Oyebanji

The Alara-in-Council and the people of Aramoko-Ekiti, the headquarters of the Ekiti West Local Council Area of Ekiti State, have appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to intervene over the stalemate rocking the selection of the new monarch for the town.

The kingmakers appealed to the Ooni to plead with the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, to allow the town to conclude the selection of its new Alara six months after the process was suspended following a tied vote.

The stool of Alara has remained vacant since the selection process, which commenced in April 2026 in compliance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law, was halted after the 12 kingmakers split 6-6 in a second round of voting that was due to be conducted following an initial tie.

According to the council in a statement issued on Monday, three princes were shortlisted by “Ifa” through Baba Araba Elebuibon after screening, but the Honourable Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs postponed the scheduled second round of voting, and letters written to the government since then have received no response.

The statement was signed by High Chief Julius Adebayo, Asao of Aramoko, who is the Head of Kingmakers, and High Chief Kolade Oyebade, Sajowa, and Secretary of Kingmakers.

The Alara-in-Council emphasized that the continued vacancy has left the town in a state of anxiety, with youths growing restless and traditional festivals and rites unable to hold, adding that it was constrained to run to the Ooni as a father and custodian of Yoruba culture.

The council emphasized that the town was founded by descendants of Oduduwa with an unbroken cultural and spiritual bond with Ile-Ife, adding that its customs, crown, and chieftaincy rites all emanate from Ife.

The statement read in parts, “We, the Alara-in-Council and the entire people of Aramoko-Ekiti, humbly appeal to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, Onirisa, to intervene and plead with His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to allow us to conclude the selection of our new Alara.”

“As a town founded by descendants of Oduduwa, Aramoko-Ekiti shares an unbroken cultural and spiritual bond with Ile-Ife. Our customs, our crown, and our chieftaincy rites all emanate from Ife. For this reason, the stool of Alara is not just a local throne. It is part of the wider fabric of Yoruba culture and tradition that Kabiyesi superintends.

“The process to select a new Alara commenced in April 2026 in strict compliance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

“After screening, 3 princes were shortlisted by Ifa through Baba Araba Elebuibon. Voting by the 12 kingmakers ended in a tie of 6-6. In line with due process, a second round of voting was to be conducted.

“However, 6 months later, the process remains suspended after the Hon. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs postponed it. Our letters to the government have not received a response.

“Kabiyesi, we are constrained to run to you as our father and the custodian of Yoruba culture. The stool of Alara remains vacant. Our youths are restive. Our traditional festivals and rites cannot hold.

“We therefore beg Kabiyesi Onirisa to please use your revered office to appeal to Governor Oyebanji to kindly grant permission for the Kingmakers to reconvene immediately and complete the selection.

“We are confident that with Kabiyesi’s fatherly intervention, this matter will be resolved peacefully and the ancient bond between Aramoko and Ife will continue to be protected and strengthened.

“We have faith in Kabiyesi’s wisdom and in Governor Oyebanji’s respect for law and tradition.”