Fayose instals Adu as Ikere-Ekiti monarch

EKITI State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday presented staff of office to the new Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Samuel Adu. The development put an end to six months of intense battle to the royal stool that caused tension in the ancient town, which became vacant following the death of Oba Samuel Adegboye of the Akaiyejo ruling House on August 22, 2014.

Adu, a retired Captain from Exxon Mobile, contested with five others, but both Ifa Oracle and election conducted among 14 kingmakers of the town favoured his candidacy.

Presenting the instruments to the new Ogoga, Fayose said: “This presentation comes up today after painstakingly considering all that were necessary. I have severally called the stakeholders together to discuss the issue, particularly the crisis the selection of Adu had generated. “I would rather do those things that would add value to Ikere-Ekiti, the second largest town in the state, rather than those things that would promote crisis or add to the people’s burdens.”

The governor, however, urged the new monarch to be magnanimous in victory, advising him to reach out to the aggrieved parties for lasting peace in the town and for his reign to be blissful. In his acceptance speech, Oba Adu lamented the fierce battle that had always accompanied ascendancy onto traditional thrones in Yorubaland in recent time, describing the scenario as very unfortunate.

“Let me commend the kingmakers for their thoroughness and transparency in the selection process. This will make the process of reconciliation very easy. “I want to say sincerely that I am committed to the service of Ikere community. I will pursue the unity of the town with a sincere heart because I know that there can’t be progress where there is no unity.”