By Kanu Samuel
Concerned stakeholders and indigenes of Aramoko-Ekiti have defended the ongoing selection process for the Alara of Aramoko stool, describing it as credible, transparent and fully compliant with the registered Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration.
The group made the position known in a rejoinder issued on Tuesday in response to a report published by the Nigerian Tribune Online on 2 June 2026, titled, “Restart Ongoing Selection Process of Alara Stool, Stakeholders Appeal to Ekiti Govt.”
According to the stakeholders, the publication contained falsehoods, misrepresentations and allegations aimed at discrediting a lawful and peaceful process.
The signatories to the statement – Princes Adeolu Adediran, Adeniyi Samuel and Olusola Adeniyi – also stated that a petition dated 24 April and reportedly submitted by three princes had since been withdrawn and rendered void by the same individuals.
The stakeholders maintained that the selection exercise was conducted in strict accordance with the provisions of the Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration, with relevant government officials and community leaders present throughout the process.
Those listed as having attended the exercise included the Ekiti State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary and Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, officials of the Ekiti West Local Government Traditional Council, religious leaders, members of the Aramoko Development Association, and other prominent indigenes.
The group also defended the involvement of renowned Ifa priest, Baba Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, stating that he and his team were invited by the kingmakers rather than by any contestant for the stool.
According to the statement, the Ifa consultation was conducted openly before government officials, stakeholders and observers, and the entire process was recorded on video.
“All contestants were given the opportunity to bring their own Ifa diviners, and the process was transparent from start to finish,” the statement said.
The stakeholders further rejected allegations that any qualified prince from the Olokun Ruling House was unfairly excluded from the exercise, noting that the screening and qualification stage was a standard requirement in traditional stool selection processes.
They also described claims of bias against Elebuibon as unfounded, saying the respected Ifa priest carried out his duties impartially and with integrity.
The statement additionally addressed comments attributed to the Ogboni of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Adebayo Oyewole, in the Tribune report.
According to the stakeholders, the traditional chief had denied making the remarks credited to him and insisted that he had informed the caller there were no irregularities in the selection process. They alleged that his views were misrepresented in the publication.
The group blamed the controversy surrounding the selection exercise on what it described as “desperate aspirants” and individuals seeking to create division within the community.
They appealed to the Ekiti State Government, led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to disregard what they termed attempts to frustrate the process and to conclude the selection exercise without delay.
The stakeholders said the people of Aramoko-Ekiti remained peaceful and law-abiding and were eager to see the emergence of a new monarch.
They also called on the Nigerian Tribune to uphold journalistic ethics by verifying facts before publication and to accord their rejoinder equal prominence.
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