AS parts of effort to uphold the heritage of the people, many families across the Southwest states have started to align history so that there will be no misconceptions about their historical pedigree and status in the society. One of such is the Aafin Compound of Ilogbo-Ekiti, headed by the Owa of Ilogbo-Ekiti, Oba (Dr.) Edward O. Ajayi.
The family states that the family is one that is important in the history of Ondo state as the throne of the Owa of Ilogbo-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, is an historic one that traditionally and legally belongs to their family.
According Oba Ajayi, the Aafin family only seeks peace, progress and prosperity for the town which has been through too much turmoil over the past three decades, adding that many progressive sons and daughters have been working assiduously to rebuild unity in the town and they consequently do not want another crisis.
The family stated that contrary to speculations from some quarters that male children from Igbolofin family house in the community are also entitled to the kingship throne of the town, only the male children from the Agbegunayeboni and Agunsoye lineage within the Aafin Compound are entitled to the throne of Owa of Ilogbo-Ekiti historically, legally and empirically.
The family representatives; Oba (Dr.) Edward O. Ajayi and four others – Prince Julius Jegede, Prince Kayode Adeleye, Prince John Olorunfemi and Prince Segun Adebayo, claim that the gazette of the Morgan Commission Report of 1978 of the old Ondo State, applicable to Ekiti State, recognised the Agbegunayeboni and Agunsoye Ruling houses as the only Families entitled to the Owa of Ilogbo-Ekiti throne.
He said the Owalogbo can only be picked from two ruling houses – the Agbegunayeboni and Agunsoye, reiterating that this is backed by customary law and government declaration as stated by the Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission of Ondo State set up in 1977 and its white paper published in July, 1981. This is applicable to Ekiti-State.
He said the two ruling houses are the two arms that make up the Ile Aafin, adding that the town of Ilogbo-Ekiti is organised and structured into eight units and each unit is in turn made of several houses with individual heads.
“Ile Aafin is one of the ten units that make up the Ebi Oke Owa. Ile Aafin is also the head of Ebi Oke Owa. The other nine are: Ule Atogun, Igbolofin, Eyigbo, Ule Onigbogbonisan, Okegbala/Akodi, Upara, Ule Aba Aiye, Ule Aba Luare and Ule Aginringan. The Head of the Ebi Oke Owa is the Owalogbo (King). Geographically, the area of Ile Aafin is made up of sections – the palace, several shrines and Isape. Isape is the residential area for members of the royal family.
“A key factor that distinguishes members of Ile Aafin from other units in the Ebi Oke Owa is that the only township chieftaincy title that members of Ile Aafin are entitled to is the Owalogbo (King). This norm is widely known, whereas other members of the other units of Ebi Oke Owa are entitled to township chieftaincy titles. Another key distinguishing factor is that members of Ile Aafin cannot be initiated into the Ode (Hunters) and Awo groups, even though they may practice such professions if they choose to. The members of the other units of Ebi Oke Owa do not have such privilege,” he said..
The family added that, “we wish to state very expressly that 14 Owalogbos have reigned. The incumbent, Oba Edward Ajayi being the 14th; all the 14 were chosen from the Aafin family. All the fourteen are blood descendants of the first Owalogbo, Arugbo Aborifunfun – our progenitor. Unfortunately, those trying to change our history claim that 16 Owalogbos have reigned. They are wrong; they usually duplicate names and nicknames of the previous Owalogbos.
“The Morgan Commission gave over one year window for interested parties to submit papers. How could anyone claim that some people went surreptitiously to submit papers despite being given over one year? Why did their fathers not submit papers if truly they are entitled to the Owa of Ilogbo-Ekiti throne? They didn’t do so because they knew they were not entitled to the throne,” the family said.
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