Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Princes in Ikere Ekiti under the aegis of Council of Omowas (Princes) have urged the Ekiti state government to disregard the request of the Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, Ganiyu Obasoyin, for recognition as traditional ruler in the ancient town.

The princes, who stated this at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday maintained that the Olukere title was for the Chief priest of Olosunta.

They said, “There has never been any Olukere as Oba and Head of Ikere Kingdom in history. Therefore, Ganiyu Obasoyin has no locus standi to either apply for or aspire to be Oba of quarters, not to talk of the whole of Ikere Ekiti,”

The council, represented by the Alairerin, Chief Peter Adepoju; the Edemo, Chief Ojo Abioye, the Ejemua, Chief Giwa Ebenezar; and Omowas Secretary, Prince Ezekiel Adesuyi spoke in reaction to the request by Ganiyu for Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office from the state government.

The Olukere, had during a visit to the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said that giving him “staff of office will give the Olukere stool of my forefathers official recognition and the right to sit in Ekiti State Council of Obas.”

Olukere, who claimed his forefathers were recognised traditional rulers in the community, appealed to the Dr Kayode Fayemi -led administration to give him recognition as a substantial king in Ikere and Ekiti state, saying, “that step will correct the wrong of the past done to Olukere stool.”

However, the princes said, “All the claims to obaship of Odo Oja quarters of Ikere kingdom by Ganiyu Obasoyin and his supporters are baseless, untenable, unsupported by history, fact, law and reality. Therefore his claims should be dismissed and rejected for lack of merit whatsoever.

“Currently, there is no approval for Chief Priest of Olosunta as the Ogoga, the prescribed authority, did not, at any time, approve Ganiyu Obasoyin, as the chief priest. The position remains vacant until a credible and relable candidate is presented to the king and is approved,” the Omowas stated.