The people of Aramoko Ekiti the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State have appealed to the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to intervene in the obaship crisis rocking the ancient town.
They also begged the monarch to plead with Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti to allow the Kingmakers to conclude the process of selecting a new monarch for the town which has been stalled for months.
The stool became vacant in August 2025 following the death of the previous monarch Oba Adegoke Adeyemi aged 82.
In a statement issued on Monday the head and secretary of the Kingmakers High Chiefs Julius Adebayo and Kolade Oyebade said the selection process had been suspended for about six months leaving the community without a substantive monarch.
They said the 12 Kingmakers were unable to reach a consensus among three shortlisted princes after an initial vote ended in a 6-6 tie.
They said a second round of voting was required to resolve the deadlock in line with the established selection procedure.
The Kingmakers said the process which began in April 2026 complied with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.
They explained that they shortlisted three princes following an Ifa consultation conducted by renowned Ifa priest Baba Araba Elebuibon.
‘However 6 months later the process remains suspended after the Hon. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs postponed it. Our letters to the Government have gone unanswered.
‘Kabiyesi we are constrained to run to you as our father and the custodian of Yoruba culture. The stool of Alara remains vacant. Our youths are restive. Our traditional festivals and rites cannot hold.
‘We therefore beg Kabiyesi Onirisa to please use your revered office to appeal to Governor Oyebanji to kindly grant permission for the Kingmakers to reconvene immediately and complete the selection’ the statement said.
The kingmakers said the prolonged vacancy was affecting the town’s cultural heritage traditional festivals and customary rites and expressed concern over growing restiveness among youths.
They described the Ooni as a revered traditional ruler and custodian of Yoruba culture whose intervention could help resolve the impasse peacefully.
The kingmakers expressed confidence that the Ooni’s intervention would help resolve the dispute and preserve the historical ties between Aramoko-Ekiti and Ile-Ife.
They also expressed confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to upholding the law and respecting traditional institutions.
‘We are confident that with Kabiyesi’s fatherly intervention this matter will be resolved peacefully and the ancient bond between Aramoko and Ife will continue to be protected and strengthened.
‘We have faith in Kabiyesi’s wisdom and in Governor Oyebanji’s respect for law and tradition’ it added.