Query: Angry Ekiti “Pelupelu” Obas dare Fayemi to remove them, Won’t respond to query …Gov’s wife moves to beg Obas (See copy of query)

Eleven of the most prominent traditional rulers in Ekiti State, otherwise known as “Pelupelu Obas” in Ekiti State appear to have declared war on the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, insisting that they will not respond to the query issued them by the State Government, which they were asked to respond to within 72 hours.

The affected Obas held an emergency meeting at the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe yesterday, where they ressolved not to respond to the query and told Governor to go ahead and dethrone them if he can.

Source said Fayemi had already stopped payments due to them from the local governments.

WazobiaReporters had reported exclusively that a query was issued to the Obas yesterday, giving them 72 hours to explain why they should not be removed for shunning government functions since August 2019.

The query dated March 11, 2020, was signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs by Mr. A. O. Adeoye.

The letter was titled “Re: Absence from state functions and council of traditional rulers’ monthly meetings.”

It reads; “It had come to the attention of Mr. Governor that Your Royal Majesty has not been attending the monthly statutory meeting of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and State official functions since August 2019.

“Your conspicuous absence at the Council meetings and State official functions, without any excuse or justification is considered inimical to the proper administration of the chieftaincy institution you represent.

“Therefore, Mr Governor has directed that Your Royal Majesty should forward your representation for this inaction through this office within 72 hours on the receipt of this letter.”

Also, as at press time this morning, Fayemi’s Wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi was said to have waded into the matter and she should be meeting the aggrieved traditional rulers today, to plead with them.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi too were said to have been angered by the development and have reached out to the Obas and Governor Fayemi.

The sixteen most prominent traditional rulers in Ekiti State, the Pelupelu Obas, had sued Governor Fayemi, challenging his appointment of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as chairman of the State Traditional Council.

The 16 most prominent monarchs, popularly referred to as the Pelupelu Obas described the appointment of Alawe of Ilawe, outside the 16 Obas called Alademerindinlogin to occupy the exalted seat of the Chairman of the traditional council, as a clear violation of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

The monarchs, in the suit with registration number HAD/76/2019, filed before an Ado Ekiti High Court, are seeking nullification of the appointment, saying the governor’s action of picking someone outside the 16 obas as chairman was “a violation of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.”

In an originating summon filed by Dr. B.A.M. Ajibade (SAN) on August 7, 2019 and deposed to by Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adewole, on behalf of other 15 obas, the monarchs are seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining Fayemi from swearing-in Alawe as the chairman of the council.

Respondents in the suit are: Governor Fayemi (1st), the Attorney General of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda (2nd) and Oba Alabi (3rd).

Fayemi was said to have offered for out of court settlement of the matter and demanded that the Obas should withdraw their suit.

However, the Obas declined, opting that the matter be ressolved first and the case withdrawn after the settlement.