The Obaship crisis in Araromi-Obo Ekiti, on Wednesday, took a new dimension, as residents staged a peaceful protest asking the state government to Handoff over the matter pending the outcome of the case in the Supreme Court.
The residents displayed placards with the inscription; “A professional local hunter cannot be a king in Araromi Obo; Araromi Obo should have a full autonomy. We are not Ado-Ekiti; It is abuse of court to take decision on a matter in the supreme court just to mention but a few.”
They appealed to the state government to pend all action on the matter, saying it is tantamount to contempt to visit issue that is subsisting in court.
In an interview, Chief Lawrence Alabi, the Osolo of Araromi-Obo Ekiti and Head of Kingmakers in the community, denied the allegation that government was acting according to advice by kingmakers.
He noted that out of the six kingmakers, one two of them are alive as other have passed on.
He said: “The community is not in support of the actions of the state government. If they want to choose a new king, I must be aware because I am the head of Kingmakers.
“The case is still at the Supreme Court. The state government should stay off pending the judgement of Supreme Court so that peace will reign.”
On his part, Chairman of Araromi Obo Progressive Council, Adedara Sunday Aderemi, alleged that some individuals are fanning the flames of discord and unrest in the community.
His words: “About the tussle of Obaship in Araromi-Obo, we thank our Governor, Biodun Oyebanji because when we went for a protest in Ado-Ekiti to deny that no kingmaker in our community visited the deputy Governor, I was happy when he said he was not aware of the whole situation.
“But those who said kingmakers of the community were summoned into the office of the deputy Governor, there was nothing like that.
“I want to appeal to the state government to intervene because there are big fishes who are disturbing the peace of the town. What we want is for the state government to wait till the judgement of the Supreme Court.”
The Eyedemo of Araromi Obo Ekiti, Chief Victoria Ojo affirmed that the current controversy was already heating up the community urging government to stay action on the situation.