The Ekiti State Government has given a 21-day deadline to the kingmakers in Oke Ako, Ikole Local Government Area, to initiate the process of selecting a new traditional ruler for the community, which has been without a monarch for 25 years.
This directive was issued after a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, at her office in Ado Ekiti.
The meeting brought together representatives from the community and key government officials to address the longstanding vacancy on the Owa of Oke Ako stool.
In a statement released by Victor Ogunje, media aide to the Deputy Governor, Afuye expressed concern over the prolonged delay and the negative effects it has had on local development and security, particularly in the troubled Ipao–Oke Ako–Irele axis.
She emphasized that the time had come to resolve the leadership vacuum and announced that only two branches of the Aafin Ruling House—Oke Aafin and Odo Aafin—are eligible to submit candidates for the throne. The third branch, Afata, has been excluded, having produced the last king.
Afuye appealed to the Afata family to withdraw its ongoing legal challenge at the Supreme Court in order to allow a peaceful and orderly selection process.
“There’s no reason to delay anymore. The lack of leadership has caused setbacks in your community. It’s time to act. We expect you to get your house in order and begin the process within 21 days,” she said.
Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, revealed that the government would direct the Ikole Local Government authorities to inform the ruling houses officially to commence the selection.
She stressed that the process must be transparent, inclusive, and conducted with the presence of government representatives and security agencies.
Atibioke added that the administration would now pay closer attention to developments in Oke Ako to ensure that the issue is resolved without further delay.
Elder statesman and member of the Aafin Royal Dynasty, Alhaji Mohammed Obafemi, provided context for the dispute, saying the Afata branch had insisted on exclusive rights to the kingship.
However, he explained that, by custom, all male descendants of the Oke Idi Osan and Aafin ruling houses are eligible to ascend the throne.
Chief Olajide, the Ejemu of Oke Ako and head of the town’s kingmakers, confirmed that the selection process had previously begun but was halted due to the pending court case.