By: Sunday Ameh
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 stakeholders made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday in reaction to a Newspaper report titled “Restart Ongoing Selection Process of Alara Stool, Stakeholders Appeal to Ekiti Govt.”
According to the statement, allegations of irregularities surrounding the selection process were false, misleading and designed to discredit a lawful exercise.
The stakeholders also disclosed that a petition dated April 24, 2026, reportedly submitted by Princes Adeyemi Oluwadapo Adebowale, Isaac Oladipo Aladeloye and Fabolude Qudus Babatunde, had since been withdrawn and rendered void by the same petitioners.
Defending the process, the stakeholders stated that the selection exercise was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration.
“The selection process for the Alara of Aramoko Stool was conducted in strict conformity with the registered Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration. All due procedures were followed,” the statement read.
They further noted that top government officials and community leaders were present throughout the exercise, including the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, representatives of the Ekiti West Local Government Traditional Council, religious leaders and members of the Aramoko Development Association.
The stakeholders also dismissed allegations surrounding the involvement of renowned Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, in the selection process.
According to them, Elebuibon and his team were invited by the kingmakers and not by any contestant seeking the stool.
“Baba Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon and his team were invited by the Kingmakers and not by any contestant. Prince Sheu Femi Akinlabi had no role in inviting the Araba. The entire divination was conducted openly in the presence of all stakeholders, observers and government officials,” they stated.
They added that the consultation was recorded on video and remains available as evidence against claims of manipulation or secrecy.
“The process was recorded on video and the footage is available to refute any claim of secrecy or manipulation,” the statement added.
The stakeholders maintained that all qualified princes from the Olokun Ruling House were given equal opportunities to participate in the process.
They described the qualification stage as a standard requirement in traditional stool selection exercises, insisting that no eligible aspirant was unfairly excluded.
Defending the integrity of Elebuibon, the stakeholders described him as “a renowned Ifa Priest and internationally respected for integrity and impartiality.”
“The Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon conducted the Ifa consultation without bias or favour. Any allegation of manipulation is baseless and an insult to the sacred oracle,” they said.
The statement also addressed comments attributed to the Ogboni of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Adebayo Oyewole, in the Tribune report.
According to the stakeholders, the traditional chief denied making the statements credited to him and insisted he had affirmed the credibility of the process.
“There were no irregularities in the selection process,” the statement quoted the Ogboni as saying, adding that he considered the publication a misrepresentation of his position and office.
The stakeholders alleged that the controversy was being fueled by a dissatisfied aspirant and external actors seeking to create division within the community.
“This is the work of a desperate aspirant and fifth columnists who imported unknown persons with no stake in Aramoko to create division and tension,” they said.
They emphasized that the Alara stool remains a revered traditional institution and should not be subjected to personal interests.
Calling on Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Ekiti State Government to conclude the process, the stakeholders urged authorities to disregard what they described as attempts to frustrate the emergence of a new monarch.
“The good people of Aramoko-Ekiti are peaceful and law-abiding. We call on the Ekiti State Government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji to disregard these faceless miscreants and conclude the selection process promptly so that Aramoko can have a king,” the statement said.
The stakeholders also urged Nigerian Tribune to uphold journalistic ethics by verifying facts before publication and to accord the rejoinder equal prominence.
The statement was signed by Prince Adeolu Adediran, Prince Adeniyi Samuel and Prince Olusola Adeniyi on behalf of concerned stakeholders and indigenes of Aramoko-Ekiti.
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