Ekiti State government, has warned traditional rulers to avoid situations that could trigger disunity and infighting in their domains.
It said that development could be impeded if internal wranglings are allowed to sprout and escalate.
This warning came as the new Obanla of Ijesa-Isu in Ikole Local Government Area, Oba Olusegun Ateji, described Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s respect for monarchs as impressive and stunning.
The state deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the warning during a visit of the Obanla-in-Council to her office in Ado l-Ekiti.
Oba Ateji, from Omotoyo Royal Dynasty, was crowned last week by the state government to succeed Oba Oso Gabriel Adeniyi, who died on September 23, 2024.
Addressing the monarch and his entourage, Mrs Afuye, according to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, appealed to Oba Ateji to spread the olive branch to his opponents to entrench peace in the community.
She hinted that Oba Ateji’s reign can only be successful and development-driven, if all his opponents are on the same page with him, warning that labelling anyone as enemy can stall the town’s progress.
Mrs Afuye stated that the monarch should focus predominantly on ensuring cohesion, by uniting all tendencies in the town, describing this as a way of overcoming the fierce battle that dogged the selection process, where the monarch had emerged through a transparent process.
“Kabiyesi, as you stepped into the royal position of your forebears, I pray that your reign will be peaceful and successful. But this can only happen if you maintain peace among your people.
“You should bear in mind that nobody can receive anything, except it is given by God. Please, I appeal to you, go home and reach out to those who are aggrieved, especially, your opponents who wanted to be king. You are now the prescribed authority, use that position to unify your people,” she said.
Responding, Oba Ateji thanked Governor Oyebanji and those overseeing traditional matters in his cabinet for their patriotism and sincerity in the handling of the traditional matters.
Oba Ateji appreciated the governor for midwifing a selection process that was just and bereft of imposition in the countdown to the emergence of a candidate to ascend the coveted position.
The monarch said he had already initiated a unification process to rally all the aggrieved, assuring that nobody will be branded as enemy, or be alienated under his royalty.