Residents of Araromi-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti, on Monday, trooped out in protest over the process leading to the selection of a new traditional ruler for the community.
The residents in their large numbers stormed the premises of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the governor’s office to express their displeasure on the alleged compromise of the selection process to favour one of the contestants, Prince Babatunde Babalola for the vacant Alararomi stool.
Some of the placards by protesters read, ‘Dubious character should be jailed not crowned’; amongst others.
Speaking with newsmen, the leader of the protesters, Olusola Aina accused Babalola of not being fit to be made the traditional ruler of the community, adding that the people are against his emergence.
He alleged that there were moves to impose him on the community through a compromised traditional consultation, saying he lacked the qualities to be made the next Alararomi of Araromi-Ekiti.
However, when contacted, Babalola denied the allegations from the protesters, adding that all documents they were parading were not related to him, describing them as fake.
He noted that the process for the selection was transparent and was monitored by officials of the state government including security agencies.
Babalola called on the people to be calm and allowed the selection process to continue, saying,” these people are already in court, and I wonder why they couldn’t wait for the judiciary to decide.”
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