The Obalodo designate of Oye Ekiti, Mr Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, has described it as wicked, cheap and blackmail, the rumours being peddled in the Oye community that the preparations for the installation of Obalodo of Oye-Ekiti were meant to install an Oba for Ilodo community.
Oguntoyinbo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Oye-Ekiti.
He said the false information and rumours were the handwork of detractors, particularly those enemies who want the institution of Obalodo to go into extinction.
“I want to disassociate myself, my family and Obalodo institution from the rumours being peddled in the Oye community that the preparations for the installation of Obalodo of Oye-Ekiti were meant to install an Oba in the Ilodo community.
“It is the handwork of wicked, uncultured and unreasonable individuals who want Obalodo stool to go into extinction.
“I want every indigene of the Oye community to disregard this misleading information because it is false and does not emanate from my family nor Obalodo institution,” he said.
Oguntoyinbo explained that Obalodo is the traditional title of his forefathers, the chief priest for “Oro Oye”, the Ode” festival.
He explained further that the last Obalodo installed took place on June,11,1942, shortly when Oba Adugbole the 2nd was installed as the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti.
Oguntoyinbo added that the late Joseph Alonge Oguntoyinbo, who was his forefather, reigned for 56 years and died on Jul 22, 1998.
The former Chairman of the Oye Local Government said members of his family are preparing to install a new Obalodo, whose stool has been vacant for the past 26 years and this has negatively affected the culture and tradition of the Oye community.
Oguntoyinbo explained that the Obalodo institution and the family have no intention of undermining the authority of any traditional institutions in Oye-Ekiti, adding that the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, Adugbole 3rd, was one of the foremost traditional rulers in Ekiti and would forever be respected and adored.
He noted that his reign in the Oye kingdom has witnessed peace, invaluable progress and physical development in the town.
The Obalodo designate noted that the chieftaincy law of Ekiti does not allow an individual to be installed as an Oba without the approval of the State Executive Council.
He said the family has written to Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju to carry him along in the due process of installing the new Obalodo of Oye-Ekiti.
