Ekiti State Government, has expressed concern over the emergence of two family heads popularly called “Elerebi” within the Attah Esubiyi royal dynasty of Ayede-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the State.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, said this on Wednesday, at her office in Ado-Ekiti, while intervening in a chieftaincy dispute brewing in the royal family.

Afuye, who sued for peace, noted that the festering division and mounting tension within the royal family could adversely affect the existing peace and unity in the town and stall its development.

She said that the mediation was sequel to a letter written by Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Abdulmumini Orisagbemi, informing the
government that he had installed Mr Abiodun Alegbeleye, as family Head of Esubiyi Dynasty.

She said that in another letter written by the family, it was conveyed to the government that the oldest man in the dynasty, Mr Oreoluwa Fabunmi, had been installed Elerebi based on the deputy governor’s advice given during a meeting held on Dec. 17, 2024.

Afuye said that though the family didn’t err by installing the eldest prince, but blamed the members for not properly briefing the traditional ruler or carrying him along as the prescribed authority and member of the family.

She described the process leading to the appointment of Fabunmi to the exalted seat as faulty and disrespectful to Attah’s coveted
position.

The deputy governor appealed to the traditional ruler to go home and reconvene a meeting of the family and deploy proper internal mechanism to resolve the matter.

She warned that Gov. Biodun Oyebanji won’t tolerate any form of uprising or violence in any community in Ekiti on account of chieftaincy dispute.

Afuye described the current governor as an apostle of peace, unity and development.

Defending his actions, Oba Orisagbemi, said he decided to install the second eldest prince in the family upon getting information
that the installed Elerebi, Fabunmi and his supporters were planning to remove him as their traditional ruler.

Orisagbemi accused those who contested against him during the selection process 10 years ago of being masterminds planning his deposition.

According to him, the Elerebi card was part of the plot to get at him.

“I want to appreciate the state government for not getting tired on this matter. We are for peace and I will continue to pursue
peace.

“But I can’t fold my hands and allow those plotting to remove me to have their ways. They have been bragging around town that Fabunmi will remove me from the seat”, Orisagbemi said.

But Fabunmi and another top member of his faction, Mr Adediji Adeoye, described the accusation that they were planning to remove the traditional ruler as a blatant lie, clarifying that such was not on the case

They added that Oba Orisagbemi has no role to play in the selection and appointment of Elerebi, saying it was the exclusive right of the family to appoint someone and take him to the traditional ruler for blessing.

“We didn’t plan to remove him, he only thought so. But now that you have given us the opportunity to go back home and make peace, we are ready to toe the line of peace. We appreciate the government for the intervention”, the duo said.