By; Oladele Adedayo, Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti State Governor,Mr. Ayodele Fayose,has said the state government followed due process and what the law and other official government documents say about who is the recognised ruler in Ikere-Ekiti in handling the recent tussle between the Ogoga of Ikere,Oba Adejimi Adu and the Olukere,Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin.
He stated this in Ado-Ekiti when the Ogoga-in-Council visited him in his office.
The governor said all existing laws, documents and official gazettes in the state, starting from the old Western Region only recognised the Ogoga as the traditional ruler of Ikere-Ekiti.
He added that while he was not opposed to the agitation by Obasoyin, the manner the Olukere went about it was faulty.
“The issue of Obaship in Ikere is clear, it is the position of the law that we followed. There are no two Obas in Ikere and the only recognised stool is the Ogoga. I have discharged my duties and I have no power to do more than that. The Morgan Commission and others that followed which looked into chieftaincy matters in whole of the old Western Region established that fact.
“If anybody has another historical claim to enforce, follow due process and produce all legal matters.
“What the Olukere is trying to do is to be a judge in his own matter. I am not against his agitation, but the due process must be followed and nobody must take the law into his own hands.
“Our father, Baba Bamidele Olumilua,was the governor of the old Ondo State of which Ikere and Ekiti State as a whole were part and he hails from Ikere, why didn’t he recognise Olukere as a stool? I told Baba Olumilua when he led a delegation here that nobody should feel he is above the law and we are only respecting Baba Olumilua as we know what we can do as a government.
“I urge the Ogoga to accommodate all and love everybody. This administration is for the development of Ekiti State and we are trying all efforts to improve on the living standard of the people. Within available resources, we will look into your requests,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Oba Adejimi Adu lauded the governor for his keen interest in the development of Ikere-Ekiti.
He recalled the rehabilitation of the moribund water project, the construction of an ultra-modern market, the dualisation of Ikere road among others.
The monarch also appealed to the governor to help rehabilitate the Ikere-Igbara Odo Road.
He gave the assurance that the people of the town would continue to support government’s efforts at making the people enjoy the dividends of democracy in peace and harmony
