Ekiti community protests, gives 14-day ultimatum over appointment of new traditional ruler

The people of Iworoko-Ekiti, in the Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti State at the weekend, took to the streets to demand the selection and appointment of a new traditional ruler for the community.

It was reported that the stool of Alaworoko of Iworoko-Ekiti became vacant following the death of Oba Michael Olufemi Aladejana on January 16, 2020.

The people comprising youths and the aged were armed with placards bearing different inscriptions.

They expressed regret over the delay in the appointment of the new traditional ruler which they said is having adverse effects on the community, particularly with the increase in the death of youths and lack of meaningful progress.

They blamed the delay in the appointment of a new ruler on a pending court case and gave the applicants fourteen days ultimatum to withdraw the suit in the interest of peace in the community.

The peaceful demonstration affected vehicular movements as many motorists going to Ifaki-Ekiti and those approaching Ado-Ekiti were left stranded for several hours.

Some of the placards read, ‘All we are saying give us our king’, ‘No to court case, we need our Oba,’ ‘Iworoko-Ekiti appreciates the state govt in selection process’ among others.

Addressing newsmen during the protest at the market square, the community’s youth leader, Emmanuel Ogunturoti, said frantic efforts by the leaders in the community to prevail on the family to discontinue the lawsuit have been constantly ignored.

He lauded the roles being played by the state government to ensure peace and fairness reign supreme in the selection process.

According to him, “we are giving the applicants in court 14 days to withdraw the suit because it is the youth that is facing the brunt. I can tell you that we are losing more youths daily in this community due to the fact that we don’t have an Oba at the moment. It is taking too long.”

Also speaking, the President of Iworoko Progressive Union (IPU), Mr Taju Fatayo, emphasized the need for the suit, which is currently before the appeal court, to be discontinued and asked the family to opt for dialogue which he said would speed up the selection of a new traditional ruler.

“Perhaps, we need to mention too that our community has not been able to record progress as expected as the stool of regency has its limitations,” they said.

(Nigerian Tribune)