Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has explained that he has no power to annul the selection of Prince Adejimi Adu as Ogoga-elect, the traditional ruler of Ikere Ekiti town.
The governor, who spoke on Monday when some elders of the town, led by Chief Olusola Bayode paid him a visit, said only a court of competent jurisdiction could annul the selection process.
Mr. Fayose stressed that he had no special interest in who becomes the Ogaga and that he would not impose any candidate on the town.
His position was contained in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
The elders of Ikere Ekiti had urged the governor to annul the selection of Adu and order a fresh selection process.
They argued that he was from Oke Ikere Quarter, which is not a ruling house, and that by Ikere tradition, the candidate for the Ogoga title could only come from Iro Quarter, therefore, the selection of Adu was an aberration.
According to the statement, Fayose in his response to the elders said his role as governor was limited to the installation and presentation of Staff of Office to the king, adding that the selection of candidate for the vacant position was the sole responsibility of the kingmakers.
The governor said, “I have no attachment to anybody; I don’t have candidate (sic). I don’t want to meddle in Ikere Obaship. I won’t impose new Ogoga, I don’t want to be seen as inconsistent. I must be fair and be seen to be so by everybody”.
While appealing to the community to give peace a chance and allow the town to have a new king, the governor declared that only a court of law could look into the merit or otherwise of their arguments.
