Fleeing Ekiti Oba returns 6 months after abdicating throne

The traditional ruler of Ilogbo Ekiti, Oba Edward Ajayi, who abandoned the throne six months ago for safety, having been chased away by angry subjects over certain offences has returned.

The Oba’s return was facilitated by the state government which intervened in his plight to enable him reclaim the throne.

Special Assistant to the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Odunayo Ogunmola, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, that his principal, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, mediated in the six-month-old crisis on behalf of Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

He said government has fully resolved the crisis rocking Ilogbo Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government, where the indigenes were locked in dispute with their monarch.

He said the deputy governor called on stakeholders in the town to allow peace to reign and bury the hatchet.

According to him, Egbeyemi made the appeal shortly after the signing of the memorandum of understanding to end the crisis, at the conference hall of the office of the deputy governor in Ado Ekiti.

He said the resolution of the conflict followed the signing of the memorandum by parties to the crisis and critical stakeholders in the town, adding that “the monarch has been prevented from entering the town and occupying the palace for the past six months

“With the signing of the peace accord, the deputy governor said Oba Ajayi is now free to come back to the throne and resume his royal duties after six months in exile, expressing confidence that the resolution of the crisis will usher in new era of development.

“Our government is a government of peace; we don’t want crisis or breakdown of law and order in any part of the state. Kabiyesi, you can now go back to your domain anytime you wish.

“Let us all agree that the crisis is over because we have all signed the memorandum and that you will all allow peace to reign and everybody will go about his business,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Oba Ajayi has commended the state government for the intervention and successful resolution of the crisis.