The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has warned the citizens against actions that could trigger internal unrest capable of widening the gulf of divisions, as Oba Stephen Adegboyega Alabi was enthroned as the Olosi of Osi Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the State.
The governor maintained that his government has not been partial in the installation of any monarch nor received gratifications from anyone since the advent of his administration, saying impartiality would continue to be his guiding principle to accord respect to traditional institutions.
The governor said these in Osi Ekiti on Saturday while presenting the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to Oba Alabi, a renowned Broadcast Journalist and Lawyer, who ascended the throne of his forebears.
The coveted First Class Royal seat became vacant, the sequel to the demise of Oba Oladiran Adewoye Agunbiade in August 2021, after which the new monarch was selected through a rigorous selection process from the Arubiojo Royal Dynasty.
In his message of peace to the town, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, urged the contestants and other stakeholders, who lost out in the scrambling for the seat to cooperate with the monarch, saying: “only God can enthrone a king”.
On the barrage of allegations leveled against the state government on the selection process, Oyebanji said: “We didn’t know any of the contestants and we didn’t collect bribes nor gratifications from anyone. We only acted on the name submitted to us by the kingmakers.
“We want to state expressly that our government has no reason to turn down any name forwarded to us for consideration by kingmakers. We have always acted as unbiased umpire on any issue that deals with traditional rulers and we will continue to accord that institution the deserved respect”.
Harping on the imperative of unity, Oyebanji reiterated the strong aversion of his government to intra-communal crisis, saying such a tendency could derail the new monarch and deprive him of the opportunity to implement his development agenda for the community.
“I want all of you to see this contest as no victor, no vanquished. It was a collective victory. You should also remember that this town belongs to all of you. If you develop it, then you will all take the glory together and generations yet unborn won’t forget your contributions”.
The governor urged Oba Alabi to perceive himself as a rallying point, who should embark on a fence-mending and troubleshooting mission to douse the raging tension and unite his people for meaningful development to be attainable in the agrarian town.
“With your rich background and experience, you shouldn’t have a problem uniting your people. Make sure you seek the counsel of your Chiefs and subjects before making critical decisions”.
In his submission, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atobioke, said the selection of Oba Alabi was approved by the state government, after emerging through a transparent and open contest.
Atibioke applauded Governor Oyebanji for ensuring that all the vacant stools in the state are filled without crisis and bloodshed, saying this has helped in attracting development to the grassroots.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Alabi applauded Governor Oyebanji for speedily acceding to the request to fill the vacant stool of Olosi, saying the action has portrayed the governor as having enormous respect for traditional institutions.
“The governor has done well. We voted for him in the first term and we will vote for him again for the second term”.
The monarch promised to restore peace among the ruling houses, promote the education of his subjects, foster religious harmony, ensure political harmony, and take proper actions for his subjects to be accorded prominence in elective and appointive political positions.
“My mission is to restore the lost glory of Osi Ekiti. This is a town with rich cultural values and strategic historical placement in Ekiti and Yorubaland. It is an objective that will require multiple tasks. We shall pursue the restoration agenda with vigor and we must achieve it”.
For accelerated development, Oba Alabi sought the cooperation of all his subjects for his developmental agenda, saying no effort would be spared to ensure that his town develops in every sphere of the economy.
The event was attended by former Governor Segun Oni, ex-Ondo State Deputy Governor, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, Senator Tony Adeniyi(SAN), Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, Traditional Rulers, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, among others.
