The Ekiti State government has appealed to the people of Isaoye Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area to forgive their traditional ruler, Oba Gabriel Dare Olajide, of alleged misdeeds that has pitted them against him.
To this end, the state government has given the monarch a two-month ultimatum to make peace with his subjects and prevent a breakdown of law and order in the community.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who gave stakeholders in the town up till February 28, 2019 to resolve their differences with the Oba, said the state government wants peace to reign in Isaoye and other communities in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the peace meeting was attended by the Oore of Otun-Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Moba land, Oba Adedapo Popoola and Isaoye traditional chiefs.
Egbeyemi, who said the state government had no intention to depose any King but wants peace to reign in all the communities, advised Oba Olajide to listen to his subjects and respect the tradition and culture of the town.
Allegations levelled by Isaoye chiefs and indigenes against their embattled monarch include: high handedness, incessant harassment of subjects with police, non performance of traditional rites and rituals and infliction of serious injuries on his subjects during a traditional ceremony.
Others are: destruction of Ifa oracle symbols and instruments of installation and appointment of an Oba violation of taboos in the community, high handedness, absconding from the town, cancellation of the meetings of chiefs and other conduct that has brought his throne to disrepute.
Egbeyemi explained that despite the existence of extant chief laws governing the conduct of tradition rulers, the state government would continue to guard against any clamour that could truncate the peace of any town.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the series of allegations levelled against the king, wondering how a whole community would turn against their king.
The Deputy Governor appealed to the people of the community to exercise patience with their king and also cooperate with him in ensuring the restoration and reign of peace in the community within the stipulated period given to him to amend his ways.
While reacting to Oba Olajide’s alleged refusal to respect the tradition of his community, Egbeyemi said: “You that accepted that you want to be king, you should know that there are traditions that needed to be observed.
“There is nothing good about all that was reported about you. I see no reason why you should go against your people, I am appealing to them now, go and do what they ask you to do.
“You have till the end of February. If you cannot follow the path of peace and secure the interest of your people, everything is left to you.
“I cannot depose you and I cannot ask them to depose you mine is to ensure that there is peace in your community. We cannot force you on them, you have been given the chance to make amendment and redeem your image.
“Don’t go on a journey of self destruction. If you claimed that you are serving God we are all serving God, you cannot be more Catholic than the Pope.
“I will not support that a king be deposed, I plead with you Kabiyesi, Obasaoye go and make peace with the people of your town.”
While commending the deputy governor for his intervention and the display of maturity and deep knowledge of traditions, the Oore, Oba.Popoola, explained that all efforts of Obas in Moba to resolve the crisis were rebuffed by the Isaoye monarch.
Oba Popoola, who revealed that Obasaoye flagrantly turned down the advice given to him by the Council, said traditional rulers in Moba would use the two-month period to reconcile the embattled monarch with his estranged subjects.
Oba Olajide, who however denied the allegations against him by his subjects, claimed that he was passionate about moving the community forward.
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