11th July, 2012
For claiming to be a traditional ruler, the paramount monarch of Efon, Ekiti State, the Alaaye of Efon, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, has removed Chief Jacob Adelowo as the Alahun of Obalu Quarters, Efon-Alaaye, with effect from July 6.
The monarch is also demanding written apologies and letters of allegiance from eight other chiefs in the town for joining Adelowo to revolt against him.
The eight chiefs are Ojo Segun (Oisawe), Joshua Omoniyi (Ejemu), Matthew. Oke (Oloro), Kola Johnson (Okunato),Tope Obere (Eleejofi), Folorunso Omole (Osolo), James Adekanle (Saloro) and Abiodun Olajubu (Olukotun).
Furthermore, the Oba has asked 15 men and women installed as chiefs by Adelowo to stop parading themselves as such in the town or face sanctions.
Addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday on behalf of the Alaaye-in-Council, High Chief Jacob Elekolusi, said the council took the decision following Adelowo’s intransigence after being duly queried by the council and even warned by the Ekiti State Government.
Elekolusi said Adelowo was installed the Alahun by Aladejare on November 20, 2007 and presented with a letter of appointment duly signed by the monarch.
He said that soon after, Adelowo started agitating to become an Oba.
Elekolusi stated that Adelowo started wearing the regalia of an Oba and went about parading himself as one.
To forestall any breakdown of law and order, the chief said a meeting of all stakeholders in the town was held on November 10, 2008 where Adelowo was present and he was asked to stop parading himself as a traditional ruler.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Adelowo petitioned the Ekiti State Government and asked to be recognised as a monarch.
On the strength of Adelowo’s petition, the state government set up a panel of enquiry that looked into his claims.
Based on the findings of the panel, the state government, through the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, in a letter P& E/CH/118/10VOLVI/128 titled: Re: Alahun Chieftaincy Crisis and dated March 14, 2012, addressed to Adelowo and copied the Chairman of Efon Local Government, dismissed Adelowo’s claims of having the pedigree of an Oba and warned him from parading himself as one.
The letter, signed by Emmanuel Abejide, for the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, requested Adelowo to abide strictly with the content of the letter, adding that any unwholesome behaviour from his end would be seriously viewed by the state government.
Elekolusi said that in spite of the state government’s warning, Adelowo did not stop parading himself as an Oba.
He said the Alaaye then issued a query to Adelowo, followed by a reminder when he refused to answer the first query within the stipulated time.
He said Adelowo sent a belatedly reply straight to Governor Kayode Fayemi and copied the Alaaye among others.
Aladejare later informed the state government of the stance of Adelowo and the state government, in a letter entitled “Re: Intransigencies and threats of Chief Jacob Adelowo, the Alahun (Alias Oleyo) dated May 16, 2012, said the matter had been concluded and that if any act of insubordination was noticed on the part of Adelowo, the Oba should notify the law enforcement agencies.
The letter, signed by David Oguntoye, also mandated Aladejare to ask security agencies to enforce its decision on Adelowo.
Answering reporters’ questions, Aladejare said the council was only lenient with Adelowo hoping for him to retrace his steps, adding that if the tradition of the town was to be followed, the former Alahun would have been banished.
He said never in the history of the town had such a rebellious act been perpetrated by a chief.