Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has inaugurated the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers.
The governor swore in the new chair on Thursday at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti despite protests from 17 aggrieved traditional rulers.
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The aggrieved monarchs had filed a suit at Ado Ekiti High Court seeking the nullification of the appointment.
They said Fayemi contravened the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law which stipulates that the chairman can only be appointed among Alademerindinlogun/Pelupelu Obas.
The monarch alleged that the promotion of Alawe to Pelupelu status was political and that could not grant him the power to become the chairman of the council.
They also shunned the inauguration ceremony. However, other monarchs under the platform of Majority Obas’ of Ekiti State were present.
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At the inauguration, Fayemi called on all royal fathers to support the present administration’s efforts at bringing development to every part of the state.
“I enjoined our royal fathers and Ekiti ketes to eschew baseless and unnecessary rivalry that can lead to communal clash,” Fayemi said.
In his acceptance speech, the Alawe promised to be fair to all Obas regardless of status.
