Ogoga’s supporters fault Ekiti verdict, to challenge decision in court


ABIODUN NEJO traces the journey into the recognition granted the Olukere stool in Odo Oja, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State and attendant development

There was marked elation on the faces of the people that trooped into the palace of the Olukere in the heart of Ikere Ekiti on Friday, October 8, as news filtered in that the state government had recognised the Olukere as the monarch of the newly approved autonomous Odo Oja, Ikere Ekiti community.

The gait, dances and noise at the event captured the happy moment for the Odo Oja community and indeed Ikere Ekiti.

The Olukere himself, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, was not left out of the ecstatic moment as he paced the palace in joyful mood, acknowledging greetings and hailing from well-wishers and subjects representing mighty and the lowly who thronged the place to savour the joy of the moment.

Clad in regal attire, an elated Olukere, who was particularly short of words, called for order as the people celebrated the success, while he dashed to Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to receive the instrument of appointment and staff of office from the state government.

The palace turned to a beehive of activities as people from different parts trooped in to confirm if truly the age-long struggle for recognition of the Olukere stool by the state government had achieved success.


The auspicious moment was significant in the life of the ancient community which had for some time been embroiled in supremacy battle between the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti stool and the Olukere of Ikere Ekiti (as it was then known) stool.

The Ogoga stool was recognised by the state government, while the Olukere stool was not–a development that drew bad blood especially as the two sides claimed authentic monarchy of the community.

A government statement titled, “Ekiti govt recognises Olukere as oba, grants autonomy to Odo Oja community of Ikere Ekiti,’’ signed by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Adegboyega Morakinyo, did the magic.

It noted that the state government, in furtherance of the ongoing review of the implementation of the White Paper on the report of the Chieftaincy Review Commission led by Justice Jide Aladejana, revisited the recommendation on the application by the Odo Oja community of Ikere Ekiti.

It stated, “The Odo Oja community of Ikere Ekiti submitted a memorandum to the commission including an application for recognition as an autonomous town and its traditional head as an oba. The commission found merit in the application and further affirmed the eligibility of the Odo Oja community to be recognised as an autonomous town and its traditional head as oba.

“Government accepts the recommendation of the commission. The Odo Oja community of Ikere Ekiti is accordingly granted autonomous status and its traditional head, Olukere, is hereby recognised as an Oba.’’

A native of Ikere Ekiti and human rights lawyer and activist, Morakinyo Ogele, who captured the mood of the people, said, “The autonomy is natural, historic and symbolic. It is a symbol of truth, justice, culture and tradition. All we have been saying is that Olukere, who is the founder of Ikere Ekiti, deserved recognition.

“We thank the government for realising that the Olukere is entitled to recognition. In Ikere Ekiti today, specifically Odo Oja, we are celebrating independence, freedom and emancipation. It was like we had been in shackles following non-recognition of the Olukere stool. But now, Ikere people have been given their freedom and all what they missed since these days.’’

The Head of the Olukere family House, 84-year-old Pa Adeniyi Obasoyin, traced the beginning of the battle between the Olukere and Ogoga to the issue of wearing of crown, which he said was the reason a past Ogoga dragged the Olukere to court, which he said ended in victory for the latter.

The octogenarian said, “The issue became more serious when the Olukere demanded recognition and staff from the government, which had been resisted in the last 25 years until Friday when the state government did the needful.

The Olukere stool

Like others in Yorubaland, the Olukere stool, said to have been occupied by 28 past Olukeres and the present Oba Obasoyin as the 29th, ís traceable to the ancient days.

Obasoyin, tracing the history of Olukere said, “The stool of the Olukere was the first traditional stool in Ikere Ekiti because my forefathers founded this town. Intelligence report of this community stated clearly that Ikere Ekiti was founded by Olukere Oloje, who was the first Olukere of Ikere Ekiti.

“When my forefathers founded this place, they were farmers. One of their major products was ‘ukerekere.’ People came from nearby villages to buy ukerekere, then they would say they were going to ‘Baba Olukerekere’ to buy ukerekere. That was where my fathers expunged Ukere (Ikere) as the name of the community.

“Olukere as a title did not come out from Olukerekere, it came out from Ikere, Ikere was from Ukerekere. In many Yoruba towns, Ekiti specifically, most obas who founded towns are called Olu–Oluyin, Oloye, Olusi etc. That is the number one citizen of that town. Since Ikere was named from Ukerekere, the number one citizen in Ikere was the man selling the Ukerekere – Olu Ukere (Olukere),’’

What is ukerekere by the way

illicit:


What is ukerekere by the way

We learnt it's a type of fruit which is no more common