From Jimoh Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government, yesterday restored the embattled Obasaoye of Isaoye, Moba Local Government Area of the state, Oba Damilare Olajide Gabriel back to the throne after tendering apology to his Chiefs, who were miffed by his alleged abdication of his royal seat.
The monarch had been having a running battle with his chiefs, since 2018, for allegedly taking step to exterminate all traditional festivals in the community, which prompted the chiefs to angrily begin a process of deposing him and install a successor.
The monarch in the heat of the crisis, had abdicated the throne and stood his ground not to participate in worshipping of deities on the strength of his religious belief.
The matter was resolved in Ado Ekiti ,on Thursday, by the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, during a peace parley with the two factions to resolve the lingering crisis.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement by his Media Aide, Victor Ogunje, described as inappropriate, a statement allegedly made by Oba Gabriel at a peace meeting held on Tuesday, 11th February, 2020, that he won’t participate personally and financially in any traditional festival.
Based on his pledge to change and partake in all traditional activities being held by the community, Mrs Afuye pleaded with the Chiefs to allow the monarch to return, saying this remains the best way to foster peace and development in Isaoye.
Mrs Afuye also directed the embattled monarch to sign a document that would lend credence to his readiness to support all traditional festivals based on the request of his subjects to resolve the matter permanently.
“The government will watch our Kabiyesi for six months before realeasing his outstanding salaries to him . If he doesn’t cooperate with the town, then we can begin a process of deposition, but I know that things will not get to this level. Please, give him this second chance.
“The monarchs are the custodians of our culture and tradition . The essence of being a monarch is to be leader of all religions, particularly the traditional one. You can’t be a king and be working against your subjects’ wishes and interests, you must cooperate with them.
“If you are removed from this throne, it will affect your lineage. Try and mend fences by cooperating with your chiefs to celebrate your culture and tradition”.
While apologising to his Chiefs, the monarch promised to sign a document compiled by his chiefs indicating his readiness to embrace tradition.
“Let me also appeal that they should forgive all my past mistakes and cooperate with me to move the town forward. As a sitting Obasaoye, I have a date with history and I don’t want anything that will affect my lineage in the future.
“I am ready to cooperate with you by doing all your requests. I also thank the state government for intervening severally in this matter”.
The Obaisa of Isaoye and second in command, Chief Joseph Ogidi, said the town had no issue with the monarch other than for him to rescind his decision to obliterate all traditional deities in the town.
Ogidi promised that the Chiefs and the town will be ready to cooperate with the monarch if he softpedals on his earlier hard posture and demonstrate his readiness to abide by their demands.
