The Ekiti State Government has directed kingmakers in Aramoko-Ekiti to adopt Ifa consultation rather than a second round of voting in selecting a new Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti.
The government said the decision was aimed at ensuring a transparent and credible process, noting that voting could encourage bribery, manipulation and unnecessary controversy.
The Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive on Thursday during a meeting with kingmakers and other stakeholders from Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area.
The meeting was convened following the inconclusive outcome of the selection process held on April 23, 2026, during which three princes — Femi Akinlabi, Adewumi Adetoyinbo and Tope Ademiluyi, all of the Olokun Ruling House — emerged through Ifa divination from eight contestants for the vacant first-class stool.
Following the exercise, the 12 kingmakers conducted a vote that ended in a tie, with Prince Tope Ademiluyi and Prince Femi Akinlabi each securing six votes.
The Alara stool became vacant following the death of Oba Olu Adeyemi of the Arakale Ruling House on Aug. 9, 2025.
Afuye said Gov. Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to ensuring the selection process complied with extant laws, customs and traditions, given the historical importance of Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti State and Yorubaland.
She described Ifa consultation as the recognised traditional method of selecting Yoruba monarchs and urged the kingmakers to avoid actions capable of undermining the integrity of the process.
"The governor has directed that government will supervise a fresh Ifa consultation under a transparent and moderated atmosphere. There will be no voting after the Ifa consultation because the oracle will produce a candidate," she said.
"Government has no preferred candidate and will not impose anyone. Our interest is to ensure a credible process that will promote peace and unity in the community."
The deputy governor also appealed to residents to refrain from inflammatory comments on social and traditional media, saying such actions could further deepen divisions in the town.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Mr Ojo Atibioke, dismissed claims that the government had vested interests in the selection process.
Atibioke said responsibility for selecting the Alara rested solely with the kingmakers, while government's role was to ensure due process was followed. He maintained that all traditional rulers installed under the Oyebanji administration emerged through transparent and lawful processes, adding that the government had consistently resisted attempts to impose candidates.
A kingmaker and the Asao of Aramoko-Ekiti, Chief Diran Adebayo, commended the government for upholding the customs and traditions of the town and pledged stakeholders' cooperation in implementing the directive.
The Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government Area, Mr Moses Omojola, urged members of the Olokun Ruling House to unite and support a peaceful selection process to prevent a recurrence of the divisions that characterised previous contests for the stool.
.jpeg)
0 Comments