Alaafin of Oyo Writes Fayemi, Warns Him Against Sanctioning Ekiti Monarchs

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has written to the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, over a recent query sent to 16 monarchs in the state.

The Ekiti State government had reportedly issued
letters to no fewer than 11 first-class traditional rulers over alleged non-cooperation with the government and leadership of the state traditional council.

The monarchs had boycotted state functions and monthly meetings of the state council of traditional rulers after Fayemi appointed Ajibade Alabi, Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, as Chairman of the state traditional rulers council.

The first-class monarchs were said to be displeased with the way the Governor appointed a subordinate king to lead them and headed to the court to challenge the appointment.

The memo titled “Re-Absence from State Functions and Council of Traditional Rulers’ Monthly Meetings,” was issued to the affected monarchs, on Wednesday 11th March, 2020 and they were given 72 hours to explain themselves.

The letter accused the monarchs of refusing to make themselves available at both state functions as well as monthly meetings of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, for about eight months, since August 2019.

The letter was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, A. O. Adeoye.

The three-paragraph letter, addressed to each traditional ruler, reads: “It has come to the attention of Mr Governor that Your Royal Majesty has not been attending the monthly statutory meetings of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and state official functions since August 2019.

“Your conspicuous absence at the council meetings and state official functions, without any excuse or justification is considered inimical to the proper administration of the chieftaincy institution you represent.

“Therefore, Mr Governor has directed that Your Royal Majesty should forward your representation for this inaction, through this office within 72 hours on the receipt of this letter.”

The Alaafin in his letter dated March 12, warned the state government to desist from meddling in the affairs of the traditional rulers.

He said he was writing on behalf of seven paramount royal fathers in Yoruba land.

Alaafin of Oyo said: “specifically, this is in respect of the composition of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State. Let me start by saying that the sacrosanct of Pelupelu that grades the sixteen Crowned Obas in Ekiti Land is not in doubt. Suffice to say Your Excellency that in any human society and more so in Yoruba Land, order of hierarchy and seniority are of vital consideration in position placement.”

In the copy of the letter obtained by First Weekly Magazine, Alaafin Adeyemi condemned the composition of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.

“From time immemorial, Obaship Leadership in Ekiti Land had been within the sixteen Obas without any dispute or quarrel among them and indeed to the admiration of other Yoruba Kingdoms.

“It is on this basis that we will advise against any attempt to treat traditional institutions in Yoruba Land with levity and to avoid any attempt of importing any sub-culture of traditional degradation into Yoruba Land,” the letter read in part.

The Oyo monarch also noted that the actions of Governor Fayemi amounted to subjudice since the matter is pending before a court.

“Since the case is still in court, we will not want to comment further on it as a law abiding citizen. I, however, expected that your Excellency waits till the end of the court process before acting on the matter.

“It is on this note that I, along with my fellow traditional rulers across Yorubaland feel very sad that Your Excellency issued a query to the 16 Ekiti crowned respected traditional rulers of high esteem in Yorubaland for not bowing their heads to their subordinate by not attending the council meeting under their subordinate. That exercise and without mincing words is to say the least subjudice.

“To some races, nothing outside the mundane is attached to their traditional institution. Whereas, that of Yoruba is beyond the mundane as it is also ancestral and spiritual. The Yoruba oba is the representative of the ancestors, the real owner of the land or ground.

“Finally, as fathers, we should like to advise Your Excellency to tread softly any relationship with Traditional Institution in the name of Oduduwa and our other Ancestors in Yoruba Land.

“Let us employ diplomacy to settle this issue. We have the mechanism of conflict resolution in ways of our ancestors,” Alaafin of Oyo concluded.