Ogoga/Olukere Crisis: Ekiti Monarchs intervene, begin fact-finding meeting with factions

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By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti.
In a bid to prevent anarchy in Ikere community in Ekiti State over raging supremacy battle between the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu and his rival and Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, the Ekiti State Council of Obas, on Tuesday commenced a fact-finding process into the issue.
A Committee of the council, chaired by the Chairman of the council and Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Samuel  Oyebade, started a process of interaction with the two warring factions.
The Committee, comprising of the 16 leading Obas in Ekiti fondly called the ‘pelupelu’ has started interacting with the factions, commencing with the Olukere.
Ogoga, a first class traditional ruler had been embroiled in fierce
supremacy battle with Olukere, with the former proclaiming the latter a chief priest of the town rather than the kingship being arrogated to himself.
The interaction was conducted behind camera in the chambers of the council located within the old Governor’s office at Oke Ori Omi in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital with no journalist allowed to cover the proceeding.
When they emerged from the chambers, Olukere expressed confidence in the ability of the traditional rulers to do justice to his case.
Oba Obasoyin maintained that he remains the founder and recognised King in the town contrary to the position canvassed by the Ogoga that he remains a mere chief  priest.
Olukere said he had stated his own side of the historical antecedents of Ikere-Ekiti in line with Intelligence report compiled by C.O. Weir on Ikere town in 1933, where it said was explicitly stated that he was a recognized crowned traditional ruler and founder of the town.
“I have told the traditional rulers how I founded Ikere kingdom and how I accommodated Ogoga who came from Agama, a village close to Akure in Ondo State.
“Ogoga called himself a prince from Benin city and if this is the
case, let him tell the whole world who is father was in Benin
dynasty. History doesn’t lie, except you are trying to pad. When you stand on the truth, nothing will make you waver and this is what is happening at the moment.
“In Yoruba land, Olu is an Oba anywhere with staffs of office and
Ikere can’t be an exception. Again, Intelligence report is the most powerful document in any historical issue and that I rest my case on before the traditional rulers, who are also the owner of the land.
“I founded Ikere and accommodated Ogoga as my errand boy, how could he become an Oba and relegated me to a mere chief priest? This is the position we are contending and I am sure our fathers will do justice to this”.
Oba Obasoyin said his rival and Ogoga will appear before the committee next week Tuesday.
The battle between the duo became more terrific shortly after the death of the late Ogoga, Oba Adegoke Adegboye in August 22, 2014.

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