Ekiti govt orders kingmaker to step aside over alleged insubordination

The Ekiti State Government has asked a kingmaker in Ilamo-Ekiti, Chief  Ezekiel Olanipekun to step aside over an alleged act of insubordination and rebellion against the king of the community, Oba Adebayo Awoseila.

The government, consequently, directed Oba Awoseila to write  officially to the Ekiti State government to seek authority for the commencement of a process for the installation of a new Eleese of Ilamo to replace the estranged kingmaker.

 It said that the action became expedient, following a confessional statement made by Chief Olanipekun that his Ilara chieftaincy clan was under Ikole Ekiti and not Ilamo, despite the fact that he was installed in 2015 by Alamo.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, gave the directive while presiding over the petition brought by the monarch against the kingmaker.

In the petition personally signed by Oba Awoseila, the monarch accused the estranged Chief of insubordination, disobedience, wearing of beaded crown and staff and running of parallel government, contrary to customs and tradition of the town.

Addressing the issues, the Deputy Governor, agreed the kingmaker, who is second in command to Alamo, was allegedly being subversive and unruly to the monarch because he was pursuing autonomy for his Ilara clan.

She said: “Let me say that it seems Chief Olanipekun by his action was not ready to cooperate with Alamo to run the town peacefully and progressively. He is interested in his autonomy, so Kabiyesi should go back home and write to us formally that he is ready to install a new Eleese that can work with him.

Further in the petition, Oba Awoseila, who commended the government’s action, said Chief Olanipekun had been holding a parallel Ojuju festival in the town, describing this as antithetical to the customs and tradition of the town.

“In 2021, Chief Olanipekun held a parallel Ojuju festival, which can only be held by Alamo-in-Council. He usurped our power because he was being aided by some Ikole chiefs. If truly that the title belongs to Ikole Ekiti as being claimed, why was I the one that installed him?

 Last year, under the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, the lingering issue was brought to the attention of the Ekiti State Government and Chief Olanipekun was warned by the late Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi who read the riot act to Chief Olanipekun to desist from instigating violence, commotion and communal disturbances in the community.