TheCable

The Ekiti state government has issued “administrative letters” to 11 first-class traditional rulers over alleged non-cooperation with government and leadership of the state traditional council.

The obas were issued letters entitled: “Re-Absence from State Functions and Council of Traditional Rulers, Monthly Meetings”, on Wednesday, and given 72 hours to respond.

A. O Adeoye, permanent secretary, bureau of chieftaincy affairs, signed the letter on behalf of the state government.

The government accused the rulers of refusing to make themselves available at both state functions as well as monthly meetings of the state council of traditional rulers since August.

It said the continuous absence of the rulers at official functions without justification is inimical to the institution they represent.

“It has come to the attention of Mr Governor that Your Royal Majesty has not been attending the monthly statutory meetings of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and state official functions since August 2019, ” the letter read.

“Your conspicuous absence at the council meetings and state official functions, without any excuse or justification is considered inimical to the proper administration of the chieftaincy institution you represent.

“Therefore, Mr Governor has directed that Your Royal Majesty should forward your representation for this inaction, through this office within 72 hours on the receipt of this letter.”

The letter has reportedly caused disquiet among the rulers with rumours that the government might be preparing grounds for suspension or outright deposition of the obas.

There has been a longstanding feud between the affected obas and Kayode Fayemi, governor of the state.

The crisis began when the governor appointed Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, as the new chairman of the state council of traditional rulers.

The group of obas had consequently dragged the governor to court to challenge the appointment and also vowed not to cooperate or attend any meeting or function where the appointee is present or presides.

Reacting in a statement, Yinka Oyebode, media aide to Fayemi, said the governor has no plan to dethrone any of the traditional rulers.

He said it was a mere “administrative letter”, and not a query to explain their absence.

He said: “The formal nature of the letter is what is being misconstrued to be a query. Contrary to insinuations, this is merely an administrative matter which is neither contentious nor confrontational. It is definitely not a ploy or plan to remove any Oba from office.”

In Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi as emir of Kano “for total disrespect to his office”.