Fayemi visits alaafin — after ‘warning’ letter from monarch

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti, on Sunday paid a visit to Lamidi Adeyemi, alaafin of Oyo.

The governor visited the traditional ruler days after the letter Adeyemi wrote to him went viral.

In the letter, the monarch had asked Fayemi to be very careful in the manner he handles the leadership crisis rocking the state traditional council.

Fayemi had issued warning letters to 11 first-class traditional rulers in Ekiti over alleged non-cooperation with government and leadership of the traditional council.

The monarchs were said to have boycotted state functions and monthly meetings of the state council of traditional rulers since Fayemi appointed Ajibade Alabi, alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, as chairman of the state traditional rulers council.

They were said to be displeased that a subordinate was appointed to lead, hence their decision to boycott meetings.

Addressing Fayemi in a letter dated March 12, Adeyemi warned the governor not to treat the monarchy with levity, saying “order of hierarchy and seniority are of vital consideration in position placement.”

The alaafin said he was displeased to learn of Fayemi’s appointment of a subordinate, warning him against “any attempt of importing any subculture of traditional degradation into Yoruba Land”.

Reacting to Adeyemi’s letter, Alabi accused him of meddling in the leadership crisis rocking the council.

In a letter addressed to Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, Alabi said Ekiti has never been part of the Oyo empire, asking why the alaafin would interfere in its affairs.

He asked Adeyemi to quit “undue interference in the internal affairs of Ekiti obas”.