- By Bayo Famoroti
HRM Oba Samuel Akinola Adeyemo, the Obalemo of Odo-Ora Ekiti, has refuted the allegation levied against him by his antagonists in his community and declared that peace and tranquility of the town is his major goal.
The royal father who asked those behind the move to destabilize the community to sheathe their sword, pointing out that contrary to the allegations by one Jide Ajewole and others who held traditional meeting in St. Steven Anglican Church, Orat-Ekiti, all selection processes were validly followed even after the consultation of three different Ifa Oracles picked him in 2016 among four contenders.
Prof. Dipo Olofintila, who seemed to be the arrow head of the removal bid, in his reaction, accused the Oba of stubbornness.
The Sajowa of Odo-Ora, Chief Tola Adeponmola, in his own reaction, appealed to those not satisfied with the Kabiyesi to explore other means of reconciliation, adding that he was satisfied that the royal father was duly selected and appointed.
Also speaking, High Chief Samuel Ajayi Fayigbe, JP, third in rank to the Oba, said there is no reason to call for his removal because he gave his car to go and consult Ifa Oracle at Ijelu and Orin where the name of the Oba was selected and later won the election during Fayose’s regime.
The Oluode of Odo-Ora, Chief Olusola Oni, said those agitating for the removal of Kabiyesi are those whose candidates failed the selection process, while Mrs. Beatrice Adeponmola, the Eyegun, wondered why a supposed peace meeting should end in the call for the deposition of the Oba.
Chief Adeboye Olanityi, the Ologun Eruku of Odo-Ora Ekiti, said Kabiyesi has been installed for seven years and that senility is worrying the coordinator of the call for removal.
The Obalemo told newsmen about Ajewole: “We have had statutory and emergency meetings together in my Palace for years now, dined and wined together alongside with other Chiefs. He has also represented me in various meetings within the state. A man who is now clamouring for my dethronement.
“Chief Moses Ajaja, the Odolofin of Odo Ora-Ekiti should refrain from accusing me or former governor Ayodele Fayose of imposition. The respected Chief is the Head of the Ebi Ilemo dynasty who screened the four candidates that vied for the position in 2016. He was the one that approved and submitted our names to the kingmakers.
“He was among the chiefs that went to other towns for Ifa consultation. In one of the places visited for Ifa consultation (Orin Ekiti),he was so impressed after the consultation that he personally gave money to the Ifa priest. Ask him, who was chosen by the Ifa Oracle in Ijelu and Orin-Ekiti.
“I came first in interview conducted by the seven kingmakers and other Chiefs in the town before Ifa Oracle chose me in all towns visited, I was also chosen openly in the palace by the Ifa Oracle brought by the kingmakers in August 11 2016. What else do they want? As God authorized, I was again selected by the kingmakers in the presence of over two thousand people just to legalize the process as enshrined in the Chiefs law of Ekiti and Odo Ora Chieftaincy Declaration.
He listed over 20 major achievements recorded during his reign so far, adding: “As a peace loving King who is aspiring to move the community to greater heights and put it on the map of the world, I beg all my subjects both at home and in the Diaspora to embrace peace and come together for the development of our Jerusalem called Odo Ora-Ekiti. A community blessed with abundant human resources should be in fore- front in term of development and progress”.
“Today, I am the chain that links the community to the outside world I implore all my subjects to come together and take Odo Ora community to an enviable heights in the comity of towns in Ekiti State”, he said.
