Ekiti Oba Aderiye dethroned!
Oba Johnson Folorunsho Aderiye, the Alayegunle of Ayegunle Ekiti, has been dethroned.
He was said to have been deposed by his subjects who accused him of high-handedness.
Backed by high chiefs in his traditional cabinet, the people rose in unison Wednesday to chase him out and bring his 27 year old reign to an end, said reports.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, and co-signed by High Chief Ilesanmi Olugola, the Eesa of Ayegunle Ekiti and head of the kingmaker, High Chief Pius Ogunlusi, Eesinkin of Ayegunle Ekiti, High Chief Ayodele Omoniyi, the Odofin of Ayegunle Ekiti, High Chief Tubosun Arowolo, the Sajuku of Ayegunle Ekiti and Chief Ojo Omokanju, the Eesaya of Ayegunle Ekiti, it was gathered that the monarch was dethroned and banished from the community.
He has been severally accused of abuse of power.
It was gathered that the traditional ruler engaged in gross human rights violations in the town, like illegally detaining scores of young people in the community at various police stations in the state.
One of the accusation was that the youths of the community had staged a peaceful protest against one of the monarch’s crony, the Olori Awo of Ayegunle community, Ojo Obasua, but rather than listen to them, he was said to have caused them to be arrested.
Obasua was alleged to have taken pictures of one of his concubine and threatened to post them on social media because the lady in question wanted to expose him for impregnating a minor.
The youths then staged a peaceful protest, calling for his removal as a chief in the community.
However, instead of showing remorse, Obasua threatened them with charms.
And rather than mediate peacefully, Oba Aderiye, was said to have thrown his weight in support of his friend.
The issue escalated culminating into a point where prominent indigenes had to intervene, but to no avail.
Not pleased by the outcome of resolution, the ousted monarch, in cahoots with his friends stuck to guns, leading to another serious protest six months later.
In the ensuing meelee, a lot of the youths were seized by the monarch and detained.
It was gathered that Oba Aderiye recruited traditional guards who served as his thugs who he deployed to harass innocent people within the community.
Leader of the youth in Ayegunle was not spared as he was alleged to have been arrested and beaten to stupor before he was locked up.
Those who witnessed how the youth leader was maltreated staged another protest and demanded his release.
The youths also seized one of Oba Aderiye’s children and threatened to exchange the child for their leaders’ freedom.
Some of the chiefs who tried to intervene and restore peace to the community were also arrested and detained.
The commotion led to total economic shutdown as shops belonging to the youths loyalists and supporters were locked and the reign of terror bore full fangs
The police had to step in to restore order in the community, even as the youth leader remained in the monarch’s detention.
Reacting to current situation, Chief Olugola said the ouster of Oba Aderiye was long overdue: “We only waited to buy time thinking he would repent from his evil ways and allow peace and tranquility to reign in our community . But we saw a defiant man who, blinded by power, forgot that the sovereignty of an Oba is in the custody of the people.”
