Traditional chiefs boycott palace over alleged assault by monarch

Traditional chiefs in Itapa-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State have abandoned the palace following the alleged assault and high-handedness by the Owatapa, Oba David Makanjuola Ajaja.

They accused the traditional ruler of assaulting one of them, the Elemo of Itapa-Ekiti, Chief Samuel Osasona during a meeting over issues relating to the installation of a new chief priest (Olori Awo) for the community.

Addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, in company of about 14 other chiefs, Chief Osasona alleged that he was assaulted by the traditional ruler for objecting to his plan of installing new chief priest without recourse to the laid down tradition of the community.

He explained that the traditional ruler lacked the sole authority to replace Chief Ilesanmi Osanyigbemi with another person as the chief priest without approval and considerations by the council of chiefs.

Osasona revealed that the incident of assault on him which happened on March 18, 2024 had made the majority of the chiefs to boycott activities at the palace till further notice.

He said: “I was slapped by the monarch during our meeting on March 18, when the issues of a new chief priest was being discussed. Our traditional ruler said he would install a new person as chief priest though we have someone at the position which was recognised by the community.

“Due to the allegations that the person was not loyal or doing his biddings, he wanted to replace him and I objected at the meeting, which made him to assault me in front of other chiefs.”

Meanwhile, Chief Abiodun Onipede noted that the recent actions of the traditional ruler had made them to petition the state deputy governor, Chief Monisade Afuye and other relevant authorities to prevail on Oba Ajaja to rule with dignity in the interest of peace in the community.

According to him, the traditional ruler was threatening to depose any chief opposed to him, adding that this development might affect the progress and development of the community.

“We are calling on the state government to save us from our traditional ruler. He is even threatening chiefs who are opposed to him with deposition, telling us as High Chief that we are minor chiefs and not that important.

“Already, we have submitted a petition at the office of the Commissioner of Police and equally the office of the deputy governor,” Onipede said.

Effort to get the reaction of Oba Ajaja was not successful, as his telephone numbers were not connecting. He was said to be out of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the monarch, the Olominio of Itapa-Ekiti, Chief Folorunso Ogunleye denied knowledge of alleged assault on the chief by the Owatapa of Itapa-Ekiti.

He disagreed with his colleagues for abandoning the palace in protest against the monarch, urging them to retrace their steps in the interest of peace in the community.

Ogunleye disclosed that the traditional ruler is out of the country at the moment, expressing optimism that upon his return, all contentious issues will be resolved.

'Yomi Ayeleso