The Ekiti state government has warned that any traditional chief or honorary chief who presents himself with the regalia of an Oba in Ekiti state will be arrested and prosecuted by the state government.
The government said the step would preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution.
Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi issued the warning on Saturday, during a peace meeting with the Olohan of Erinjiyan-Ekiti, Adegoroye Omoseebi, and some interest groups from the Ado-Ekiti community.
Egbeyemi said the warning became necessary to curb the unauthorized use of crowns and beaded canes by palace heads in some communities in the state.
He said the government called the peace meeting following a request from the traditional ruler that one of his chiefs, the Odo of Erijiyan, Boluwaji Adewumi, has been parading around in the paraphernalia of a traditional ruler.
His actions reportedly include wearing a crown and beaded staff in and out of state.
Speaking after being provided with pictures of Mr. Adewumi wearing a crown on his head and holding a beaded cane, the deputy governor said he would have ordered the chief’s immediate arrest, but had to give him one last warning and a chance to reconcile with the chief. Olohan.
Mr. Egbeyemi said that Mr. Adewumi’s action was a clear violation of the Heads of State Act by wearing the paraphernalia of a traditional ruler who attracted a six-month prison sentence upon conviction.
The lieutenant governor said that cases of unauthorized use of crowns and bead batons have been reported to the state government in the recent past, adding that such acts were capable of causing chaos in the state.
He said the state government was working very hard to ensure the state enjoyed peace before, during and after the upcoming gubernatorial elections, and said the latest standoff between Olohan and Oba Odo should not be allowed to escalate.
He said that if the situation was not handled well, the thugs could kidnap her to unleash terror and throw Erinjiyan-Ekiti into chaos.
He called on the parties to the crisis to bury their differences for the sake of peace.
Mr. Egbeyemi urged the community to arrest Mr. Adewumi with the help of security agencies anywhere he is seen wearing a crown or using a beaded cane.
However, the lieutenant governor took the opportunity to warn community chiefs across the state to desist from wearing such badges.
He said that only Obas had the right to wear such office paraphernalia.
“No chief who is under an Oba in our state has the right to wear a crown or use bead sticks. Only the Obas have the right to wear crowns and sticks of beads.
”The caciques can use ordinary canes and not the traditional one with beads.
“Beaded canes are for Obas only, crowns are for Obas only. You don’t have two or more Obas in a village.
”No chief should be paraded as an Oba, no matter how wealthy or influential he may be. He must respect the Oba under which he is serving.
“If all of us wear crowns and sticks of beads, there will be confusion in our villages and that amounts to a lack of respect for our Obas and our government will not tolerate it. If someone shows Obas contempt, that individual is playing into trouble.
“By this order, I notify the heads of our communities to desist from usurping the Obas authorities in Ekiti state. Any cacique who uses Obas paraphernalia faces six months in prison.
“I want Adewumi to return to the palace and beg his traditional ruler and from now on cooperate with him for the development of his city.
“You are a chief under his command and do not do anything that can diminish Olohan’s throne,” said Egbeyemi.
Previously, Mr. Omoseebi had accused Mr. Adewumi of promoting confusion and violence in the city, which required petitions to the police and the state government.
Omoseebi alleged that Adewumi had become a threat to the residents of Erijiyan-Ekiti, noting that the palace had to report the incident to the government to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
Adewumi also accused the traditional ruler of making an attempt on his life. He added that he only wears the crown once a year during the worship of a river deity in the city.
He assured the Lieutenant Governor of his willingness to comply with the order and reconcile with the Oba and other community chiefs in the interest of peace. (YAYA)
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