…Says Chief Temitope Ajayi is the recognised Olori-Awo of Itapa.
Members of Egbe quarters in Itapa-Ekiti want the state government to rescind its decision on the reinstatement of Chief Kehinde-Osanyingbemi as the Chief Priest of the town.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye had on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 ordered the reinstatement of Kehinde-Osanyingbemi as the Olori-Awo of Itapa-Ekiti
Speaking during a meeting in the town, the Elemeyin of Egbe, Itapa-Ekiti, Chief Benjamin Ogunleye expressed surprise over the decision of government on the issue, saying four quarters usually produce Olori-Awo and that it is the turn of Egbe quarters to occupy the chieftaincy seat.
“It is four quarters that usually produce Olori-Awo, the four houses have completed their tenure, then we supposed to start the rotation from number one again, Egbe quarters is the first among the four quarters”.
Chief Ogunleye explained that Chief Temitope Ajayi was installed as Olori-Awo nine years ago, as all necessary rites were done during his installation in the shrine which qualifies him as the only one recognised to occupy the chieftaincy position.
“It is true that the Owatapa, Oba Makanjuola Ajaja mistakenly installed Kehinde Osanyingbemi as Olori-Awo, but we told him that it is not his duty to install a Chief Priest and that it is the turn of Egbe quarters to become Olori-Awo, he agreed that we should go ahead to perform rites for the installation of Chief Temitope Ajayi, which we did and since 2015, he has been performing his duties as expected”.
The Elemeyin of Egbe, Itapa hinted that Chief Kehinde Osanyingbemi had instituted four different court cases on the chieftaincy tussle, the judgement which they said did not favour him, but went in favour of Egbe quarters.
“We have all court documents where his cases were struck out, that he should not parade himself as Olori-Awo”.
“He had issue with Kabiesi and the King decided to punish him, while the traditional ruler also petitioned Ekiti State government on the matter, so we thought the state government through the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye wanted to intervene on the matter on Tuesday, but to our surprise, it was the issue of Olori-Awo that was brought up before the Deputy Governor which she gave directive that Osanyingbemi should be reinstated”.
“Members of Egbe quarters were not invited to the meeting so that we could bare our minds on the issue and present necessary documents about the chieftaincy tussle”.
Also, the Olugotun of Egbe quarters, Itapa, Chief Joseph Ajayi urged concerned stakeholders in the matter not to be partial, but work towards ensuring that truth prevail, in order to give room for peaceful co-existence in the town.
On his part, Chief Temitope Ajayi noted that due to his installation as the Olori-Awo of Itapa-Ekiti, he has been active and performing his duties as expected, which he said made him to be elected as the Chairman, Olori Awo in Council, Oye local government and one of the state Executives.
“Because I am the Chief Priest who has been duly installed in the town, I have in turn installed other ranking cabinet members of herbalists in Itapa and I have also been seeking divination on behalf of Itapa-Ekiti since I am the only one empowered to do so”.
They therefore called on Ekiti State government to conduct thorough investigation on the matter and make amendment where necessary in the interest of peace and harmony.
“Our Lawyer has written letter to Owatapa of Itapa, Oba Makanjuola Ajaja, Itapa Progressive Union, Chairman, Obas in Council Oye local government and Kehinde Osanyingbemi to register our displeasure on the decision of Ekiti State government”. The representatives of Egbe quarters Itapa-Ekiti said.