Going by my little findings from the "agbagbas" in respect of the Obas Vs Ekiti state government, I think the Governor might need to apply some wisdom.
Thread.
Thread.
So, let us start with the emergence of "Pelupelu Obas". Who are these Obas?
From my findings, these "Pelupelu Obas" are the direct descendants of Oduduwa and they include:
1. Owa Obokun of Ijesha
2. Alaye of Efon Alaye
3. Owa Oye of Okemesi
4. Alara of Aramoko
From my findings, these "Pelupelu Obas" are the direct descendants of Oduduwa and they include:
1. Owa Obokun of Ijesha
2. Alaye of Efon Alaye
3. Owa Oye of Okemesi
4. Alara of Aramoko
5. Ajero of Ijero Ekiti
6. Olojido of Ido
7. Oore of Otun
8. Oloye of Oye Ekiti
9. Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti
10. Elekole of Ikole Ekiti
11. Ewi of Ado
12. Ologotun of Otun Ekiti
13. Aarinjile of Ise
14. Elemure of Emure
15. Ogoga of Ikere
16. Deji of Akure
6. Olojido of Ido
7. Oore of Otun
8. Oloye of Oye Ekiti
9. Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti
10. Elekole of Ikole Ekiti
11. Ewi of Ado
12. Ologotun of Otun Ekiti
13. Aarinjile of Ise
14. Elemure of Emure
15. Ogoga of Ikere
16. Deji of Akure
Note that among these 16 "Pelupelu Obas" two are not from Ekiti. That is Owa Obokun of Ijesha and Deji of Akure.
I was informed that the existence of these "Pelupelu Obas" dated as far back as pre 1960 independence.
After the creation of Ekiti, we only have 14 Obas left.
I was informed that the existence of these "Pelupelu Obas" dated as far back as pre 1960 independence.
After the creation of Ekiti, we only have 14 Obas left.
"Pelupelu" means the direct Oba Alade from Ife. And from existence, the chairmanship of council of Obas has been rotated among these 16 Obas only.
My findings showed that the first Chairman of d "Pelupelu Obas" was Oore of Otun Ekiti.
So, how did Ewi later emerged as Chairman?
My findings showed that the first Chairman of d "Pelupelu Obas" was Oore of Otun Ekiti.
So, how did Ewi later emerged as Chairman?
After the dethronement of Afonja in Ilorin by Emir Zulu, the Emir always asked some Obas to pay him homage/prostrate during the Salah festival.
I was informed that the Oore of Otun who was the leader of the "Pelupelu Obas" went to Ilorin to pay homage to the Emir.
I was informed that the Oore of Otun who was the leader of the "Pelupelu Obas" went to Ilorin to pay homage to the Emir.
Ewi of Ado and the other "Pelupelu Obas" heard about this and Ewi went straight to Ilorin to stop Oore of Otun from prostrating to Emir of Ilorin.
While it was almost the turn of Oore to pay homage, Ewi asked his drummer to play a particular sound so as to stop Oore.
While it was almost the turn of Oore to pay homage, Ewi asked his drummer to play a particular sound so as to stop Oore.
Kò le séésè
Kí Òbá Álade
Fi Òrí balé
Fùn Òbá la ti té
Meaning: It is impossible for a crown king to prostrate for a king that has no Crown.
In other words, the Oore of Otun can't prostrate to an Emir that has no Crown.
Kí Òbá Álade
Fi Òrí balé
Fùn Òbá la ti té
Meaning: It is impossible for a crown king to prostrate for a king that has no Crown.
In other words, the Oore of Otun can't prostrate to an Emir that has no Crown.
The Oore of Otun understood the meaning of the drummer's rythm and left Ilorin without prostrating to the Emir of Ilorin.
On getting back to Ado Ekiti, the other "Pelupelu Obas" got angry that Oore disrespected them and not fit to lead them.
Ewi was unanimously made the leader.
On getting back to Ado Ekiti, the other "Pelupelu Obas" got angry that Oore disrespected them and not fit to lead them.
Ewi was unanimously made the leader.
Ever since then till date the Chairmanship of the council of Obas has been rotated among these Obas.
My findings showed that the chairmanship is a fixed tenure of 2 or 4 years (Not sure).
The last Chairman before this tussle was Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti.
My findings showed that the chairmanship is a fixed tenure of 2 or 4 years (Not sure).
The last Chairman before this tussle was Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti.
The question then is why will a state government decide to abandon the tradition/culture of the Obas and pick someone who is not a member of the "Pelupelu Obas" but more importantly a subordinate or subject to these Obas without due consultation?
The Governor announced the Alawe of Ilawe of Ekiti last year as the Chairman council of Obas, without proper consultation and neglecting the long traditions of choosing who becomes the Chairman.
This didn't go down well with these Obas & the announcement was challenged in court.
This didn't go down well with these Obas & the announcement was challenged in court.
It is instructive to state here that historically, Alawe of Ilawe is one of the subjects of Ewi of Ado. I was informed that the Alawe used to come to Ado everyday to wash the fees of Ewi, thus the name of "Álàwé" was coined.
So, how does the governor think the likes of Ewi will accept the emergence of a subject as the chairman of council of Obas.
I personally think this is where wisdom ought to have been applied.
Sadly, the whole issue has been politicised.
I personally think this is where wisdom ought to have been applied.
Sadly, the whole issue has been politicised.
This issue again has raised the problem associated with the classification of who becomes 1st Class, 2nd Class or 3rd Class Obas.
Governors after Governors do this classification based on those Obas that are on the side of the govt of the day.
Governors after Governors do this classification based on those Obas that are on the side of the govt of the day.
Sadly, this politicization has continued to destroy our traditional institutions, cultures and history.
If an existence template has been working for decades, why are we changing it of all a sudden and cause unnecessary crisis in the state.
If an existence template has been working for decades, why are we changing it of all a sudden and cause unnecessary crisis in the state.
Since the announcement of the Alawe of Ilawe as Chairman council of Obas in Ekiti, the "Pelupelu Obas" and some Obas have refused to attend any meeting. Rather, they always have their own separate meeting at the palace of Ewi.
They have resolves to go to court to challenge what they perceived as injustice.
I think the govt should have allowed the court to adjudicate the matter.
Issuing them query will only aggravate the matter.
How do think you can contend with 14 Obas and not just ordinary Obas?
I think the govt should have allowed the court to adjudicate the matter.
Issuing them query will only aggravate the matter.
How do think you can contend with 14 Obas and not just ordinary Obas?
The option on the table is for the Governor to set up a meeting with these Obas and if necessary, get the other traditional rulers in the SW along so as to find a lasting solution.
Or allow them to stay away and have their own faction till the tenure of Alawe expires.
Or allow them to stay away and have their own faction till the tenure of Alawe expires.
In all fairness to the Governor, some of my respondents completely agreed that the govt has been so good to the Obas but this one, he got it wrong and I can only hope and pray that ego will be put aside and this matter will be resolved very soon.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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