Query to Ekiti “Pelupelu” Obas: Alaafin warns Fayemi to stop rubbishing traditional institution …See Letter

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has reacted angrily to the query issued to eleven of the most prominent traditional rulers in Ekiti State, otherwise known as “Pelupelu Obas,” by the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, warning the governor to stop denigrating the traditional institution in the State.

Alaafin said in a three paged letter, which he said was written after consultation with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedokun and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbile, that himself, along with other traditional rulers across Yorubaland felt very sad that the governor issued query to the prominent Obas in Ekiti.

WazobiaReporters had reported exclusively that a query was issued to the Obas on Wednesday, 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. It was titled “Re: Absence from state functions and council of traditional rulers’ monthly meetings.”

Reacting, the Alaafin of Oyo in a letter to Governor Fayemi, dated March 12, 2020, urged the governor to “tread softly any relationship with with Traditional Institution in the name of Oduduwa and our other ancestors in Yoruba Land.”

The letter read; “I write on behalf of other prominent Traditional Rulers in Yoruba Land, after wide consultation between the following Traditional Rulers in Yoruba Land.

“Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedokun and Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbile. This is in respect of recent happenings in Ekiti State with regards to Traditional Rulership in the State under Your Excellency’s leadership.

“Specifically, this is in respect of the composition of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State. Let me start by saying that the sacrosanct of Pelupelu that grades the sixteen Crowned Obas in Ekiti Land is not in doubt. Suffice to say Your Excellency that in any human society and more so in Yoruba Land, order of hierarchy and seniority are vital consideration in position placement.

“From time immemorial, Obaship Leadership in Ekiti Land had been within the sixteen Obas without any dispute or quarrel among them and indeed to the admiration of other Yoruba Kingdoms.

“It was therefore with total displeasure and real discomfort that we learnt of Your Excellency’s neglect if the hierarchical order by appointing a subordinate Oba ad the Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State over and above the recognized order.

“In a free society like ours, nobody should expect those injured by that assault to keep quiet. As civilised people, rather than confronting or engaging the government, they chose the court option.

“Since the case is still in court, we will not want to comment further on it as law abiding citizens. I however would have expected Your Excellency waits till the end of the court process before acting on the matter.

“It is in this note that I, along with fellow Traditional Rulers across Yoruba Land feel very sad that Your Excellency issued query to the sixteen Ekiti Crowned respected Traditional Rulers of high esteem in Yoruba Land for not bowing their heads to their subordinate by not attending the council meeting under their subordinate. That exercise and without mincing words is to say the least subjudice.

“We consider it important to go Memory Lane with you on the rile of Pelupelu Obas in Ekiti Land in the development of Yoruba Nation. This is particular with Ekitiparapo War which is very famous in Yoruba War History as Kiriji War (1870 – 1886).

“Suffice to say that in the course of the sixteen year-old war, the battle became so internecine and threatening that the Alaafin as the head of the Yoruba Nation had to write to the British Authority to mediate in bringing the war ti an end. This led to the Treaty of Peace of 1886 between the British and Yiruba leaders under Alaafin’s leadership.

“We go into this history to let Your Excellency know that Yoruba had far reaching history than many races in the country. Unlike some other races, Traditional Rulership in not banded by religion but by Tradition and Culture. That explains the difference between us and some other cultures. Whereas, some races see deposition and installation of Traditional Rulers as mere administrative routine with executive fiat all in open glare, that is not so in Yoruba Land.

“To some races, nothing outside the mundane is attached to their Traditional Institution. Whereas, that of Yoruba is beyond the mundane as it is also ancestral and spiritual. The Yoruba Oba is the representative of the ancestors, the real owners of the land or ground.

“It is on this basis that we will advise against any attempt to treat traditional institution in Yoruba Land with levity and to avoid any attempt of importing any subculture of traditional degradation into Yoruba Land.

“It is ironic that while the processors In-office and ancestors of these sixteen Crown Obas (Pelupelu) famous Ekiti Kings and their subjects displayed uncommon patriotism, courage and commitment to confront the intimidating military powers of Ibadan Army for sixteen years, 1870 – 1886 that, Your Excellency as one of the beneficiaries of the legacy bequeathed by these Kings of Yoruba History is now embarking on an exercise that will rubbish the contributions of your ancestors.

“Finally, as fathers we should like to advise Your Excellency to
tread softly any relationship with with Traditional Institution in the name of Oduduwa and our other ancestors in Yoruba Land. Let us employ diplomacy to settle this issue. We have the mechanism of conflict resolution in ways of our ancestors.”

On Thursday, 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.

The query issued to the Obas had read; “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.”

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.