he Agunsoye Ruling House of Imesi Ekiti community, in Gbonyin
Local government area of Ekiti State, has rejected the suspension
of kingmakers and replacement with warrant chiefs.
The state government had sacked the existing four kingmakers and
replaced with warrant chiefs to perform the role of kingmakers in
the process of filling the vacant stool of the Onimesi of
Imesi-Ekiti.
The stool of Onimesi became vacant following the demise of oba
Oladimeji Adeyeye in December 2018.
The ruling house expressed anger over the decision to appoint
warrant chiefs against the traditional practice, describing it as
an act of illegality and flagrant desecration of tradition.
It added that the ill-motivated action was a decoy by
governments officials with vested interest to impose one Mr. Festus
Olatunde as the new Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti.
A statement in Ado Ekiti , on Wednesday by the Head of the
ruling house, Prince Adu Fasunlade, said the brazen removal of the
Kingmakers at a time three suits were pending in courts over the
royal tussle contravened the rule of law.
Fasunlade appealed to the state House of Assembly to annul any
action taken by the ‘politically’ appointed warrant chiefs, probe
into the deployment of soldiers in the town and call political
gladiators working to impose an unqualified person as Onimesi to
order.
“The only reason why the kingmakers have not acted was that
there are two lawsuits against them in different courts of
competent jurisdictions in Ekiti State restraining them from any
further actions on the Onimesi royal stool selection process until
the determination of the existing suits.
“Therefore, it will become ludicrous and disrespectful to the
rule of law, if the Kingmakers have acted otherwise. Inactivity of
the Kingmakers was a respect for the rule of Law of the land.
“The suits; The Agunsoye Ruling House Vs. Imesi Kingmakers with
Suit No. HOM/64/2019 and The Agunsoye Ruling House Vs. Ekiti State
Government & Others with Suit No. HOM/121/2019 are still pending in
courts . Therefore we do not expect any lawful body to act on
issues that are before the courts of law”.
Fasunlade added that the ruling house had on May 13, 2020, filed
the third suit at the State High Court, Omuo Ekiti divison against
Olatunde from Idosere quarters of Imesi Ekiti to stop parading
himself as a prince of Agunsoye Ruling House.
“However, to the total dismay and embarrassment of Imesi Ekiti
community, five truck loads of Police men and two truckloads of
soldiers were brought to Imesi on Thursday, May 14 in a gestapo
style and show of force to intimidate our members .
” We are also appealing to the state government not to allow the
political ambition of one individual in Imesi Ekiti our town to
cause chaos and throw the Community Imesi into darkness. It is
therefore imperative for us all to always remember that power is
transient and as such, it should be used with lots of wisdom and
humility”.
Fasunlade stated that the members of the ruling house remain
resolute and owe that unwavering belief that only the courts have
overriding powers to adjudicate on any contentious issue of this
nature.
he Agunsoye Ruling House of Imesi Ekiti community, in Gbonyin
Local government area of Ekiti State, has rejected the suspension
of kingmakers and replacement with warrant chiefs.
The state government had sacked the existing four kingmakers and
replaced with warrant chiefs to perform the role of kingmakers in
the process of filling the vacant stool of the Onimesi of
Imesi-Ekiti.
The stool of Onimesi became vacant following the demise of oba
Oladimeji Adeyeye in December 2018.
The ruling house expressed anger over the decision to appoint
warrant chiefs against the traditional practice, describing it as
an act of illegality and flagrant desecration of tradition.
It added that the ill-motivated action was a decoy by
governments officials with vested interest to impose one Mr. Festus
Olatunde as the new Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti.
A statement in Ado Ekiti , on Wednesday by the Head of the
ruling house, Prince Adu Fasunlade, said the brazen removal of the
Kingmakers at a time three suits were pending in courts over the
royal tussle contravened the rule of law.
Fasunlade appealed to the state House of Assembly to annul any
action taken by the ‘politically’ appointed warrant chiefs, probe
into the deployment of soldiers in the town and call political
gladiators working to impose an unqualified person as Onimesi to
order.
“The only reason why the kingmakers have not acted was that
there are two lawsuits against them in different courts of
competent jurisdictions in Ekiti State restraining them from any
further actions on the Onimesi royal stool selection process until
the determination of the existing suits.
“Therefore, it will become ludicrous and disrespectful to the
rule of law, if the Kingmakers have acted otherwise. Inactivity of
the Kingmakers was a respect for the rule of Law of the land.
“The suits; The Agunsoye Ruling House Vs. Imesi Kingmakers with
Suit No. HOM/64/2019 and The Agunsoye Ruling House Vs. Ekiti State
Government & Others with Suit No. HOM/121/2019 are still pending in
courts . Therefore we do not expect any lawful body to act on
issues that are before the courts of law”.
Fasunlade added that the ruling house had on May 13, 2020, filed
the third suit at the State High Court, Omuo Ekiti divison against
Olatunde from Idosere quarters of Imesi Ekiti to stop parading
himself as a prince of Agunsoye Ruling House.
“However, to the total dismay and embarrassment of Imesi Ekiti
community, five truck loads of Police men and two truckloads of
soldiers were brought to Imesi on Thursday, May 14 in a gestapo
style and show of force to intimidate our members .
” We are also appealing to the state government not to allow the
political ambition of one individual in Imesi Ekiti our town to
cause chaos and throw the Community Imesi into darkness. It is
therefore imperative for us all to always remember that power is
transient and as such, it should be used with lots of wisdom and
humility”.
Fasunlade stated that the members of the ruling house remain
resolute and owe that unwavering belief that only the courts have
overriding powers to adjudicate on any contentious issue of this
nature.