By Dayo Johnson

AKURE — 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 in strict compliance with the community’s chieftaincy declaration.

The stakeholders, in a statement signed by Prince Adeolu Adediran, Prince Adeniyi Samuel and Prince Olusola Adeniyi, dismissed calls for the process to be restarted, insisting that due procedures were followed throughout the exercise.

The group was reacting to a newspaper publication titled, “Restart Ongoing Selection Process of Alara Stool, Stakeholders Appeal to Ekiti Govt,” which it described as misleading and the handiwork of individuals seeking to undermine a lawful process.

“We consider it necessary to set the records straight and correct the falsehoods, misrepresentations and malicious allegations contained therein,” the statement said.

According to the stakeholders, a petition dated April 24 and reportedly submitted by some princes challenging the process had since been withdrawn by the same petitioners, rendering it invalid.

They maintained that relevant government officials supervised the selection exercise and ensured compliance with laid-down procedures.

On the controversy surrounding the Ifa consultation, the stakeholders said the kingmakers invited renowned Ifa priest, Ifayemi Elebuibon, and his team to conduct the divination.

They stated that the exercise was conducted openly in the presence of stakeholders, observers and government officials.

According to them, the process was recorded on video and the footage remains available to counter allegations of secrecy or manipulation.

“All contestants were told to bring an Ifa diviner, not just one aspirant. Every qualified prince from the Olokun Ruling House was given equal opportunity.

“The weeding and qualification stage is standard in all chieftaincy selections to ensure only eligible candidates proceed. No one was unjustly excluded,” the statement added.

The stakeholders described Elebuibon as a respected and impartial traditional priest, dismissing allegations of manipulation as baseless.

They also claimed that Chief Adebayo Oyewole, the Ogboni of Aramoko-Ekiti, was misquoted in the earlier publication.

According to the group, Oyewole maintained that there were no irregularities in the selection process and expressed surprise at the report attributed to him.

The stakeholders further alleged that some individuals were attempting to create tension in the community by involving persons with no stake in the traditional institution.

“The Alara stool is not anyone’s personal property but a sacred and revered stool in Yorubaland. The good people of Aramoko-Ekiti are peaceful and law-abiding,” the statement said.

They appealed to the administration of Biodun Oyebanji to disregard calls for a restart of the process and ensure its timely conclusion so the community can have a substantive monarch.