By; Oladele Adedayo, Ado-Ekiti.
Ikere-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikere local Government area of Ekiti state was engulfed in confusion as a section of people of the community came out in large numbers to protest the destruction of Olukere’s billboard by people suspected to be government agents.
The Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, who had been in a running battle with his rival and Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu, accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of tearing his billboard carrying his portrait erected in the heart of the town.
The protesters who converged at the popular Odo Oja junction area of the ancient town at about 6pm on Wednesday, shortly after the incident happened chanted anti- government songs to deride the governor and condemned his action.
The procession moved to Oke Ikere, where the protesters blocked Ado-Akure highway, which caused serious traffic gridlock with commuters taking alternative routes to escape the mob.
The protesters who made bonfires on the road, also continued with the protest as early as 6am on Thursday, warning Fayose and Ogoga to refrain from plunging the town into crisis.
Meanwhile, anti-riot Policemen have been deployed to prevent the unrest from escalating into a crisis of monumental proportion.
Oba Obasoyin who spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, expressed disenchantment with how the governor had allegedly carried his personal animosity against him to such a ridiculous extent.
He begged President Muhammadu Buhari to save him from Fayose, saying “my life now is at stake. If someone could personally supervised the tearing of my billboard, what would he do if he sees me face-to-face?”
Oba Obasoyin added that “it is rather surprising that with the hectic jobs the office of a governor requires, he could still go to the streets and destroy Oba’s billboard.
“Fayose and Ogoga have forgotten so soon that the land Ogoga is occupying in Ikere and the authority he is using were given to him by my palace, including his crown.
“Ogoga in history was never a crowned Prince anywhere, including Benin where he claimed to have come from. I made him who he is and he should not push my people to go into war. They should let Ikere be.
“They wanted to ignite crisis and burn down my town, but I am pleading that they should desist because I am the owner of the land and I won’t allow it to burn.
“I am a descendant of Oduduwa and one of the founders of Ekiti land, so we are going to resist attempt by Ogoga, who is a stranger in my land to conspire with Fayose to obliterate my stool”, he stated..
However, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi in a reaction to the allegations made by the Olukere against his boss said “There are some lies when told, you win sympathy. But in other cases, you will look foolish. To say that the Governor tore the poster or destroy the bill board or sent people to destroy the whatever, is a lie carried too far.
“Fayose is not from Ikere, he is not interested in who rules Ikere. How can he nurse animosity against the Olukere?
“That this administration gave recognition to the Ogoga, Fayose was simply following the law, particularly on the Ikere issue. None of the past administrations gave recognition to Olukere to rule over Ikereland.
“Do Olukere expect Governor Fayose to do otherwise and cause crisis in the ancient town?
“The Olukere was only ventilating his anger when he alleged that the governor destroyed or sent people to destroy his posters. The allegation is unfounded.” The Governor’s Spokesperson claimed.
