Fatomilola Attacks Alaafin Over Letter To Gov Fayemi, Says Monarch Overstepped Bounds

Veteran Yoruba actor and poet, Peter Fatomilola has accused the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi of overstepping his bounds by interfering in the affairs of the Ekiti traditional rulers.

The Alaafin had written a letter to Governor Kayode Fayemi expressing displeasure at the governor’s issuance of query letters to sixteen Ekiti monarchs over their alleged refusal to attend state functions and monthly meetings of the Council of Traditional Rulers in the state.

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The Ekiti monarchs were said to be protesting Fayemi’s appointment of their subordinate as chairman of the council.

Governor Fayemi had visited the Alaafin following the latter’s letter to him.

Speaking to BBC Yoruba, Fatomiilola said the Ooni of Ife was the spiritual head of traditional rulers in Yorubaland and only him could interfere in matters concerning traditional rulers in any part of Yorubaland, and not the Alaafin.

81-year-old Alaafin of Oyo (right) bows to the Ooni of Ife, 45

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Fatomilola who is also an indigene of Ekiti State, said the Alaafin crossed his limit when he decided to write the Governor of Ekiti State over the crisis rocking the council of traditional rulers in the state.

He said: “It is like going to another person’s house. It is like the governor of Oyo state going to interfere in the politics of Ekiti State, he will be disgraced because no matter how tough a dog is, it cannot guard two residences.

“If it was the Oni of Ife that took that kind of step it is good because he is the crown chief of Yorubaland. He is the only traditional ruler who can interfere like that. The step the Alaafin took will bring further crisis among the Ekiti traditional rulers. Oyo fought Ekiti in a bitter war for 16 years.”

The veteran actor said leadership of Obas had nothing to do with age but tradition and history, stressing that the Alaafin ought to know what is right.

“There are Obas in Ekiti who can caution and advise Governor Fayemi if he makes any mistakes like the  Ẹlẹkọle of Ikọle, Ajero ofi Ijero, Alara of  Ilara, Ewi of Ado  and others.

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“Politics has spoilt everything now, that’s why someone like the Alaafin of Oyo can interfere in what is happening in Ekiti as if Ekiti has no elders and needed to rent elders from outside.”

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