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Natives and stakeholders in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, Ekiti State, have called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to approve conclusion of the selection process and installation of a new monarch to occupy the vacant stool of the kingdom.
They declared that the process of Ifa consultation and voting by the kingmakers was free, fair, and credible in line with the tradition of the ancient town.
According to the stakeholders, the representatives of the Ekiti State government and religious leaders were present during the selection process.
Some Princes wrote a petition for the restart of the ongoing selection process of the Alara Stool, alleging irregularities in the process. However, the petition was later recalled and voided by the same people.
The princes and stakeholders, including Adeolu Adediran, Adeniyi Samuel, and Olusola Adeniyi, said: “The selection process for the Alara of Aramoko stool was conducted in strict conformity with the registered Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration. All due procedures were followed.”
They explained that all relevant government officials were present and supervised the selection exercise. The government officials, they said, include the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Secretary, Ekiti West Local Government Traditional Council.
Others, they said, include the Chief Imam of Aramoko, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria of the town, Aramoko, executive members of the Aramoko Development Association (ADA), Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Executive Chairman, Ekiti West, Secretary to the local government, and notable elites of Aramoko Ekiti.
Also, they said Ifa Consultation was done by Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon from Osun State. They said the entire divination was conducted openly in the presence of all stakeholders, observers, and government officials.
According to them, “The process was recorded on video, and the footage is available to refute any claim of secrecy or manipulation. All contestants were told to bring an Ifa diviner and not just one aspirant.
“Every qualified prince from the Olokun Ruling House was given equal opportunity. The “weeding/qualification” stage is standard in all chieftaincy selections to ensure only eligible candidates proceed. No one was unjustly excluded.
“The Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon is a renowned Ifa Priest and internationally respected for integrity and impartiality. He conducted the Ifa consultation without bias or favour. Any allegation of manipulation is baseless and an insult to the sacred oracle.”
The stakeholders said the Alara stool is not anyone’s personal property but a sacred and revered stool in Yorubaland.
Consequently, they called on the Ekiti State Government to disregard these faceless individuals and conclude the selection process promptly so that Aramoko can have a king.
