Confusion as Ekiti removes envoy as Regent

Ekiti State Government on Wednesday announced Mrs. Comfort Idowu as the new Regent of Ilasa-Ekiti in Ekiti State, barely 24 hours after Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Congo, Princess Jolaade Onipede, was installed as Regent of the town.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, at a press conference, announced Idowu as the “rightful and lawful Regent” of the town.

Afuye said the government had taken its decision based on the recommendations from the appropriate authorities.

He said, “The state government hereby confirms Mrs. Comfort Dayo Idowu as the rightful and lawful regent of Ilasa-Ekiti. As far as the state government is concerned, traditional institution in Ilasa recommended the name of Mrs. Comfort Dayo Idowu to the Ekiti East Local Government and the local government recommended to the state government.”

However, Onipede, who was a special adviser on chieftaincy affairs during former governor, Mr. Segun Oni’s administration, said what the government did was a ruse.

She said she would not allow the state government to trample on the culture and tradition of the people of the town.

Onipede, who is the daughter of the Late Oba Abel Ajibola, who died on October 1, 2012, said the tradition of the town was that the eldest daughter of the late monarch ascends the thrown as the Regent.

She said, “It is a ruse, the commissioner does not know the tradition of Ilasa and he is not a native of the town. All the kingmakers of Ilasa will not come together and make a mistake. They are the people to announce and have done that.

“Idowu cannot come to my father’s palace and room. She will have to go to Afuye’s village to serve as Regent and not Ilasa. The state government does not know the rule.”

Onipede, after her installation on Monday, said she would not spend more than six months on the throne and asked the next ruling house to come up with its candidate.