- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
In a bid to fasttrack the installation of a new traditional ruler in Osi Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area, the Ekiti State Government, has directed the kingmakers to ratify the selection of Prince Stephen Babatunde Alabi as the valid nominee for Olosi stool.
The government said Prince Alabi’s ratification became expedient, having been validly nominated by Arubiojo Ruling House of Osi Ekiti for the exalted seat as the sole candidate, with name forwarded to the kingmakers in line with tradition.
The directive was handed down, on Thursday, in Ado Ekiti, by the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, after a meeting with stakeholders, including the kingmakers and representatives of Arubiojo Ruling House.
The stool became vacant, following the demise of Oba Oladiran Agunbiade on the 5th of August, 2021, following which the Arubiojo Ruling House was contacted by government to fill the vacant stool.
Addressing the stakeholders after the parley held at her office, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, gave the kingmakers up to Monday, May 6, 2024 to write an appointment letter to the nominee and forward same to government for approval.
The Deputy government was displeased with the way the kingmakers were allegedly manipulating and dilly-dallying on the process, saying this might erode the confidence the people had in their personalities.
Particularly, she berated the process leading to the forwarding of the name of one Prince Femi Adewumi as the validly selected nominee to the local government for approval, even when he was neither voted for nor nominated by the ruling house.
According to her : “The ruling house had done the due diligence by nominating someone. If they want only one nominee, nobody should force them to add more, since the process was transparent from the beginning.
“Our governor, Biodun Oyebanji places high premium respect for traditional institution and traditional rulers are benefiting from this government because of the partnership between them and the government . We don’t want your town to lag behind.
“We appeal to other aspirants to join hands with the stakeholders in moving the town forward. They should cooperate with the nominee in the task of building a new Osi Ekiti that will benefit all and Sundry”.
In his submission, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Sunday Bamise, said four judgements, had been delivered on the Olosi selection matter and the state government won in all the cases instituted.
Bamise clarified that the kingmakers have no relevance in nomination of candidate according to the law, saying the only valid nomination was the one done on the 21st November, 2021, which favoured Prince Alabi.
“What we expect the kingmakers to do in the eyes of the law is to validate the nomination of Prince Babatunde Alabi and issue him a letter of appointment to begin the process. But if they fail to continue, then the government will revert to the second option, which I may not disclose here”, he said.
The Odofin of Osi Ekiti and head of the kingmakers, Chief Olaiya Faturoti and other colleagues consented to the government’s position, promising that they would comply accordingly.
The Counsel to the nominee, Chief Tony Adeniyi(SAN), applauded the government for standing on the truth and point of law on the matter, saying this will ensure expeditious installation of a new monarch in the town.
According to Prince Adebayo Alabi, the head of the Arubiojo dynasty, Prince Alabi polled a total of 26 votes to defeat other contestants in a traditional shadow poll conducted by the ruling house and monitored by local government officials.
