There was wild jubilation on Monday as the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, installed Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni as the Owa of Oke-Ako in Ikole Local Government Area, ending a 25-year vacancy on the traditional stool.
Oyebanji, who promised to put machinery in place to fast-track the enthronement of traditional rulers in communities where stools are vacant, said prolonged legal battles over the selection process had hindered the government from exercising the statutory procedures required to install a new monarch.
The stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Omotayo Jackson Ogunbiyi of the Oke Idi Osan Ruling House on December 10, 2000.
The governor spoke during the presentation of the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the new monarch, who hails from the Oke Aafin Royal Dynasty. He was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye.
Oyebanji congratulated the monarch and the people of Oke-Ako for overcoming the challenges that characterised the long interregnum, describing the installation as a collective victory for the community.
He cautioned against internal strife and acrimony over the traditional stool, urging other contestants to support the new monarch and work with him to promote unity and development in the community.
The governor also commended the Regent, Princess Tinuade Adebayo, who presided over the affairs of the community for more than 25 years, as well as the people of Oke-Ako for supporting progressive leadership.
He urged them to extend the same spirit to the new monarch in order to attract development to the community.
Oyebanji said: “I want to congratulate all of you today on this glorious moment. This, to us, is victory at last. You didn't have a traditional ruler for over 25 years, but today, you are celebrating one after overcoming all past challenges.
“Please, I want you to look at the past, take stock and look for ways to make up for the lost grounds. The best way for you to do this is by allowing peace, unity and love. No town can develop without these.
“I want you to work with Kabiyesi to restore the glory of Oke-Ako. With all of you working together as a team, this town will become prosperous, progressive and successful. Kindly do all within your powers to cooperate with him for the benefit of all of you.”
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atibioke, commended the process that produced the new monarch, saying it was conducted in accordance with the state Chiefs Law and the culture, customs and traditions of Oke-Ako.
Atibioke disclosed that four candidates contested the stool, adding that the new monarch emerged through Ifa divination and subsequent voting by the kingmakers in a process he described as free from manipulation, imposition and rancour.
He said: “Today belongs not only to the new Oba, but to all the indigenes of Oke-Ako. A vacant throne creates a gap in the life of a community. A filled throne creates opportunities.
“The opportunity before Oke-Ako now is to put years of uncertainty behind it and build a future in which the palace becomes the centre of unity and development.”
In his acceptance speech, Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni commended the state government, the kingmakers and the royal families for supporting the installation of a new monarch after the prolonged interregnum.
He pledged to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him, while specifically commending Oyebanji for making the resolution of the traditional leadership crisis a priority.
The monarch said: “I must acknowledge you specifically. What this government did for this community by resolving a matter that had lingered for over 25 years was impressive.
“The governor did this through due process, patience and genuine commitment to doing what was right for Oke-Ako community. We are grateful. I am personally grateful.”
Oba Oni assured the people that he would work assiduously to unite and develop the community by partnering with all stakeholders, irrespective of past grievances, to move Oke-Ako from its present challenges to a new phase of economic, political and social prosperity.
He appealed to well-meaning indigenes to support his vision of making Oke-Ako a model of peace, development, love and unity, stressing that no community could develop in an atmosphere of rancour and social unrest.
“From this day, I am pleading to every Oke-Ako indigene, regardless of which family you come from, regardless of which side of any past dispute you stood in, regardless of what happened before, to make a decision that we must forge ahead in unity.
“Whatever divided us in the past must be left behind. We don't have the luxury of carrying old grievances into a new era.
“To our sons and daughters in Lagos, Abuja, London, the United States of America and across the globe, we need you to partner with us, not just with your money, but by showing that sense of belonging in whatever we do. We need your ideas, skills, connections and presence to make us great,” he said.
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