By Ige Sunday
The Regent of Ijesa-Isu Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government area of Ekiti State, Princess Omobolaji Adeniyi, has raised the alarm over moves by some members of the community to destabilise the town through breakdown of law and order.
The regent appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to swiftly intervene to prevent chaos and anarchy in the community by calling the perpetrators, who she described as “powerful politicians”, to order as she harped on the urgent need to stop the matter from degenerating to violent clashes.
Adeniyi, flanked by members of the Obanla-in-Council, who spoke at a press conference at the Palace of the Obanla of Ijesa-Isu Ekiti on Saturday, dismissed the purported suspension of the Eleje of Ipole Ileje in Ijesa-Isu, Olusegun Akiti, saying that “it was a plot to destabilise the community”.
She said, “We want to address some issues that have been going on in this town for some time now.
“Sometime last week, there was a radio announcement stating that High Chief Olusegun Akiti, the Eleje of Ijesa-Isu Ekiti, had been suspended indefinitely by some set of people.
“We were surprised to hear the announcement. I am appealing to all Nigerians and every indigene of Ijesha Isu Ekiti to please disregard such information. Nothing like that happened. There was no suspension whatsoever. If there is going to be any suspension, there are some processes.
“No chief can be suspended without a set of procedures by the Obanla-in-Council. As far as Ijesa-Isu is concerned, High Chief Olusegun Akiti, is the Eleje of Ileje. The Baale of Ipole Ileje is Abiodun Ogunsakin.
“There have been some knotty issues going on in the community even before I was installed as the regent of this town, that is, before the death of my late father. At first, I never thought it would degenerate into this level.
“The security operatives both at the local government and the state level have been informed and they are on top of the situation. It is my prayer that there will be no violence that arises from this incident,” the regent said.
She said that the need for government’s intervention was necessary to calm frayed nerves, saying, “I am appealing to the state government to please come to our aid to arrest this matter, to make sure that this set of people that are trying to disrupt the peace, unity and harmony of this town are called to order”.
Speaking, Akiti, who said he was officially installed as chief and head of his Ileje community in Ijesha Isu via a letter of appointment, wondered how he could have been suspended by some people without due process.
The Eleje expressed commitment to the peaceful co-existence in the community, saying, “We are peace-loving people, hardworking and committed to promoting and working for the success of our community, local government and state.
“Members of the community should go about their business and farming activities.
“Any semblance of disturbance or harassment by miscreants and thugs should be reported immediately to the appropriate community authorities and police stations,” he advised.