Following the appointment of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as the Chairman of the Ekiti State Traditional Council, by Governor Kayode Fayemi, some prominent monarchs have headed to court to contest the action and seek legal nullification.
The 16 most prominent monarchs called ‘Pelupelu’ described the action of appointing someone other than them as sheer violation of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.
Fayemi had last week appointed Oba Alabi as the Council Chairman to serve for a period of two years following the expiration of the tenure of Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju.
Joined in the suit registration number HAD/76/2019 are: Governor Kayode Fayemi (1st defendant), Attorney General of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda (2nd) and Oba Adebanji Alabi (3rd).
An originating summon filed by Dr. B.A.M. Ajibade (SAN) on August 7, 2019 and deposed to by Ajero of Ajero, Oba Joseph Adewole, on behalf of other 15 Obas, sought an interlocutory injunction restraining Fayemi from swearing in Alawe as the Chairman of the Council.
The claimants, also known as ‘Alade Merindinlogun’ (16 kings), sought the following declarations: ”Whether the 1st defendant is empowered under Council of Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 15, Laws of Ekiti State 2012, to appoint the chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers on a bi-annual rotational basis from amongst only class of Obas constituted Alademerindinlogun/Pelupelu Obas of Ekiti State.
”That the claimants are the only valid authentic Obas or traditional rulers under the classification of ‘Alade Merindinlogun’ qualified to be so appointed as Chairman.”
Also requested was a declaration “that the 3rd respondent can’t be appointed as Chairman of the council in consonance to the Ekiti State Traditional Council Law.
“A declaration that the appointment of the 3rd defendant by the 1st was a flagrant violation of the law, unlawful, null and void, unjustifiable, illegal and unsustainable.
“An order nullifying the appointment of the 3rd defendant as the Chairman of the council of traditional rulers.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant as chairman of the traditional council and other relevant orders as deem first by the court.”
By composition, the Council of Ekiti State Traditional Council has Permanent and rotational members and the statute stipulates that: “The permanent and rotational members shall be appointed by the Governor from among the recognised traditional rulers In Ekiti State.
“There shall be a chairman for the council who shall be appointed by the Governor on bi -annual rotation among the Pelupelu Obas in the state.”
Earlier, in a letter written to the Governor dated August 2 and signed by 15 Pelupelu Obas with the exception of Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Popoola, who traveled abroad, the monarchs asked Fayemi to reverse the action, saying a court had earlier struck out a suit filed by five monarchs who were promoted to Pelupelu and seeking recognition of that status.
They stated that the promotion of Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Olojudo of Ido-Ile, Arajaka of Igbara Odo and Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti to Pelupelu rank was an abration of tradition and against existing laws.
They however said they would not support the action as they threatened to boycott the inauguration of Alawe as Council Chairman and any meeting chaired by him.