PROCESS FOR NEW ALAWOROKO
The Ekiti State Government given the kingmakers in Iworoko Ekiti in
Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government in go-ahead to commence the process
to produce the next Alaworoko.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, urged the kingmakers to
perform the assignment with fear of God, unbiased mind and utmost
sense of responsibility.
Egbeyemi gave the directive at a peace meeting held with the
kingmakers and members of the royal families eligible to produce
monarch for the town at his office in Ado Ekiti.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the
Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, the directive was sequel to the
submission of a report by the Ifelodun/Ifelodun Traditional Council to
determine eligibility of families that can field candidates for the
royal stool.
At the meeting, the families in Oganyan, the only Ruling House in the
town eligible to produce the next Alaworoko were identified, after a
panel of Obas in Irepodun/Ifelodun Traditional Council saddled with
the assignment submitted its report.
The assignment was given to the Irepodun/Ifelodun Traditional Council
at the last meeting of stakeholders on the vacant Alaworoko stool held
on 17th August, 2020 at the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Reading out the reports, Egbeyemi said the Chairman and members of the
local government traditional council after careful findings and
scrutiny based on historical facts.
He explained that the committee was set things by government under his
purview to ensure that unbiased decisions are taken in the process of
selecting a new Oba for Iworoko Ekiti.
The report made by about 10 Obas in the council area recommended that
that the ruling families of Aladejana, Ojukaja and Farinde are all
qualified to contest for the vacant stool.
Furthermore, the council recommended that Prince Michael Farinde’s
claim as a prince is sacrosanct and he also has contributed to all
portions to the royal family.
Egbeyemi stressed that no one has been selected as an Oba for the town
as government does not choose an Oba as the function belongs to the
kingmakers who are expected to present their choice to the state
government for ratification in line with the law.
He said: “The Government will not choose for you people and will not
disqualify any prince.
“It is the duty of the kingmakers to select and present their choice
candidate to the government in a transparent manner while the Chiefs
Law should be strictly followed.”
Egbeyemi stressed that the kingmakers should not betray the trust of
the people of the town in choosing the right candidate who will use
the throne to work for progress and development of the community.
While noting that the task of selecting a new king for Iworoko was
time-bound, Otunba Egbeyemi reminded the kingmakers that all eyes are
on them and they should be conscious of the need to leave a good name
based on their choice for their people.
Egbeyemi urged the Kingmakers to strictly adhere to the Chiefs Law in
performing the duties in choosing the new monarch from the princes
jostling for the stool.
The Deputy Governor harped on the need for interest groups in the town
to abide by the extant law and carry relevant government organs along
in the course of filling the vacant stool.
The stakeholders hailed the state government for the intervention
promising to go back home and conduct the process in line with the
extant law and tradition.
The stool became vacant following the demise of the last occupant of
the throne, the late Oba Michael Olufemi Aladejana in January 2019
after reigning for 54 years.