The people and residents of Osi-Ekiti, in the Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have rejected the alleged plan by officials of the government to impose a new traditional ruler on the community.
The residents who spoke during a peaceful protest in the community on Saturday explained that the process leading to the pronouncement of a new Olosi of Osi-Ekiti should be transparent and devoid of any form of imposition, calling on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to urgently intervene to avert a crisis in the community.
The stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Oladiran Agunbiade on August 5, 2021, following which the Arubiojo Ruling House was contacted by the government to fill the vacant stool.
Speaking during an interview on Saturday, the head of the kingmakers and Ejemu of Osi-Ekiti, High Chief Oluwafemi Olayinka, faulted moves by some individuals to bypass the laid-down procedures for selecting traditional rulers and impose them on the community.
The nonagenarian who revealed that he had participated in the selection of two traditional rulers for the community said they were done with the necessary traditional consultations with Ifa Oracle.
He added that an attempt to jettison the age-long practice and handpick an individual would not be in the interest of peace, progress, or the development of the community.
He advised the officials of government at both state and local government levels to give the community the opportunity to follow the normal process of picking a new Oba and forward his name to the authorities.
Also speaking, the Basorun of Osi-Ekiti, High Chief Sunday Ajibola, said a series of traditional consultations made across the state and beyond pointed to one of the princes as the chosen one for the vacant throne and not the person being pushed by the authority.
On his part, the 68-year-old Esaba of Osi-Ekiti, High Chief Ishola Famutimi, advised that due process must be strictly followed to avoid a crisis in the community.
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