By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado Ekiti.
The dethroned monarch of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade, has filed a stay of execution and appeal against the judgment of a State High Court which ordered his removal from the throne.
His selection and appointment as the Owa was challenged by a claimant to the royal seat, Adekunle Adeniyi, whose prayers were granted by the court which sat in Ikole Ekiti.
Oba Ajibade in a press statement on Sunday however maintained that since he had filed a stay of execution and an appeal at the Ado-Ekiti Division of the Court of Appeal, he still remains the Owa saying “there is nothing to celebrate by the petitioner in the judgment given by the lower court.”
He urged the people of Odo Ayedun to be peaceful and remain calm noting that the peaceful co-existence of the community remains paramount to him.
The traditional ruler explained that the law enforcement agents have been mobilized to deal with anyone that want to capitalize on the kingship crisis to cause chaos and anarchy in the community.
Oba Ajibade warned against unauthorized installation of chiefs in Odo Ayedun insisting that he still reserves the powers to appoint chiefs.
According to him, “We are aware of the recent development in our community, Odo Ayedun Ekiti as a result of a judgment rendered by a lower High Court in respect of the Obaship of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government which was misinterpreted by the petitioner.
“We have appealed against that ruling at the Court of Appeal and we have also filed a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by the lower court.
“Therefore there is nothing to celebrate by the petitioner in the judgment given at a lower court by the mischief makers in the community.
“Since there are grounds for appeal up to the Supreme Court, the petitioner should know that he is into a long haul.
“I therefore appeal to all and sundry in Odo Ayedun community to be law abiding since our peaceful coexistence is of paramount importance to me as the crowned king of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti.
“The constitution in the obaship gives the Oba the power to elect any chief he wishes to elect. There are great consequences for somebody or anybody in any community or quarter to instal any chief without the authority of the Kabiyesi.
“By God’s grace no evil shall disrupt our peaceful coexistence in our community. In addition, I wish to emphasize further that against all the greetings and announcement made on the radio by mischief makers, any person or group of any kind be it male or female that is caught in disrupting the peace and unity existing in the community will be dealt with accordingly by the law.
“Finally, I HRM Oba Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade remains the authentic and reigning Oba of Odo Ayedun- Ekiti. All recent insinuations, rumors, innuendoes against my legitimacy should be discarded.”
