Sola POPOOLA
The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi has cautioned his colleague monarch and Olojudo of Ido-Faboro to equip himself with genuine history of traditional institution and stop being an agent of division in Ekiti .
Oba Alabi, in a statement entitled Olojudo’s Statement Published In The Sunday Trinune of 20th November 2022 Is A Gratuitious Remark And Smacks Oynirance of History ” flayed Olojudo’s comment and described it one capable of upsetting the existing peace in the tradition institution.
The statement made available to journalists by Oba Alabi’s Special Adviser on Media ,Chief Ajibade Olubunmi said ” Olojudo needs to be educated that the ALAWE HAS NEVER BEEN SUBSERVIENT TO ANY OBA IN EKITI even during the colonial days when colonial masters created administrative areas for easy administration and tax collections.”
Alawe,the immediate past Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers cautioned Olojudo to stop provoking discord among Ekiti monarchs through reckless and inflammatory utterances as the one contained in the Tribune newspaper under reference.
“The attention of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, HRM Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi AFUNTADE 1, has been drawn to a statement credited to the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro published on page 5 of the Sunday Tribune of 20th November,2022 under the headline, “Olojudo Laments Monarchs’ Plights Under Politicians” where he said, among others”how can you leave Ewi and be talking to Alawe and the immediate past Governor made Alawe the Chairman of Traditional Council “
“This is to clearly describe the Olojudo’s statement as a gratuitous statement that smacks his ignorance of history, unbefitting of a person of his status.
“For Oba Ilori’s information,Governor Fayemi in his wisdom looked into the books and the history and the grade of Obas in Ekiti before making Alawe the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers in year 2019. No wonder, few of you who did not properly understand the detailed history of Pelupelu went to court on the issue but failed woefully. the statement reads in part.
The statement added that “Alawe attained membership of the Pelupelu in 1946 under colonial rulership. How can Olojudo accuse Governor Fayemi of promoting Alawe to that class? It clearly shows that the monarch needs some lessons in history.
“The reference of Olojudo to class disparity between Alawe and Ewi of Ado is unsolicited and a deliberate ploy to fan embers of discord between Alawe and Ewi. I wish to state that the two towns, Ilawe and Ado are living together in peace and harmony as neighbours. The relationship between Alawe and Ewi is based on mutual respect and understanding.
“What therefore is the business of Olojudo in all of these ? The people of Ido should advise their monarch to keep to his domain and stop being a purveyor of messages of division and doom among Obas in Ekiti.
“Alawe as a former Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Council, a status which Olojudo is still struggling to attain, will continue to show respect to the Traditional institution in Ekiti and throughout the country.” Oba Alabi said.