Residents of Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to intervene in the prolonged process of selecting a new Alara of Aramoko.
The community urged the traditional ruler to appeal to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to permit the kingmakers to resume and conclude the selection process, which has remained suspended for six months.
The stool became vacant in August 2025 following the death of the former Alara, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi, at the age of 82.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Monday on behalf of the community by the head and secretary of the Kingmakers, High Chief Julius Adebayo and High Chief Kolade Oyebade, respectively.
According to the statement, the selection process began in April 2026 in accordance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.
Three princes were shortlisted through Ifa divination conducted by Baba Araba Elebuibon.
However, the 12 kingmakers were unable to reach a consensus during the first round of voting, which ended in a six-six tie.
The statement said a second round was expected to take place before the state government postponed the exercise.
The kingmakers said the process had yet to resume despite their efforts to get the government to address the matter.
The statement read, “We, the Alara-in-Council and the entire people of Aramoko-Ekiti, humbly appeal to Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, to intervene and plead with His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to allow us conclude the selection of our new Alara.
“As a town founded by descendants of Oduduwa, Aramoko-Ekiti shares an unbroken cultural and spiritual bond with Ile-Ife. Our customs, our crown, and our chieftaincy rites all emanate from Ife. For this reason, the stool of Alara is not just a local throne. It is part of the wider fabric of Yoruba culture and tradition that Kabiyesi superintends.
“The process to select a new Alara commenced in April 2026 in strict compliance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law. After screening, three princes were shortlisted by Ifa through Baba Araba Elebuibon. Voting by the 12 Kingmakers ended in a six-six tie. In line with due process, a second round of voting was to be conducted.”
The kingmakers expressed concern over the prolonged vacancy, saying the delay had affected traditional activities and raised tensions among youths in the community.
They added, “Our letters to government have not received a response.
Kabiyesi, we are constrained to run to you as our father and the custodian of Yoruba culture. The stool of Alara remains vacant.
Our youths are restive. Our traditional festivals and rites cannot hold.
“We therefore beg Kabiyesi Onirisa to please use your revered office to appeal to Governor Oyebanji to kindly grant permission for the Kingmakers to reconvene immediately and complete the selection.”
The community expressed optimism that the Ooni’s intervention would help resolve the dispute peacefully and strengthen the longstanding relationship between Aramoko Ekiti and Ile-Ife.
The statement concluded, “We have faith in Kabiyesi’s wisdom and in Governor Oyebanji’s respect for law and tradition.”
