Group Warns Ekiti Government Against Alleged Moves To Alter Aramoko Kingship Selection Process

The Oduduwa Citizen Liberation Vanguard (OCLV) has warned the Ekiti State Government against any attempt to alter the ongoing process for selecting a new Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, saying such a move could violate the law and trigger litigation as well as unrest in the community.

In a statement jointly signed by its Coordinator, Korede Olanipekun and Secretary, Abiola Kupolati, the group urged Governor Biodun Oyebanji to ensure that the selection process is concluded strictly in accordance with the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Declaration (2024), without political interference.

According to the OCLV, the constitutional role of the kingmakers must be respected, arguing that neither the state government nor any of its officials has the authority under the Chieftaincy Declaration to appoint Ifa priests or assume the responsibilities assigned to the kingmakers.

The group warned that any attempt to amend the existing Chieftaincy Declaration through an executive directive or to abandon the process already conducted would amount to a breach of the rule of law.

It stated that the selection exercise had progressed under the supervision of government officials and involved eight contestants from the Olokun Ruling House in line with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Declaration.

According to the group, the process included Ifa divination, which produced three shortlisted candidates, Prince Tope Ademiluyi, Prince Oluwafemi Akinlabi and Prince Adewumi Adetoyinbo.

The OCLV said the 12 recognised kingmakers subsequently voted, resulting in a 6-6 tie between Prince Oluwafemi Akinlabi and Prince Tope Ademiluyi, while Prince Adewumi Adetoyinbo received no vote.

The group maintained that the exercise, from screening to Ifa divination and the final voting, was supervised by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary and other government officials, describing the process as free, fair and transparent.

However, it alleged that the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs were attempting to interfere in the process by directing another round of Ifa consultation outside the procedure prescribed by law in favour of a preferred candidate.

The controversy followed comments by Afuye, who opposed resolving the deadlock through another vote by the kingmakers, arguing that voting created opportunities for bribery and manipulation. She maintained that Ifa divination remained the most respected traditional method of selecting a Yoruba monarch.

The OCLV, however, argued that Aramoko-Ekiti had an established precedent for resolving a tie through a fresh vote by the kingmakers, recalling that the same approach was adopted during the selection process that produced the late Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi.

The group also dismissed allegations that the kingmakers had accepted bribes, saying its findings did not support such claims.

"Our position is not in support of any particular prince. We are defending the supremacy of the law, the integrity of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Declaration and the sanctity of the Yoruba traditional institution. Government must resist every temptation to manipulate the process and instead allow due process, justice and transparency to prevail," the statement said.