Ekiti State Government has barred Rufus Olayinka, a traditional title holder and Odofin of Afao quarters, Ikere-Ekiti, from wearing the royal crown because his area has not been granted full autonomy.

Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye said this on Friday while presiding over the matter in her office in Ado-Ekiti.

Ms Afuye contended that it was an aberration for the Odofin to have worn a crown or changed his title to Oloja Afao when the government had not acceded to his request for full autonomy.

She said it was a flagrant violation of the Ekiti State Chief Law for Chief for Mr Olayinka to adorn himself in royal regalia when the autonomy being agitated for had not been granted by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.

She said reprieve had, however, come for the embattled chief, as the government lifted the suspension slammed on him by the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu and members of his council for alleged insubordination and disrespect to the paramount ruler.

Ms Afuye described the suspension of Odofin from Ogoga-in Council as null and void, saying the process was inchoate since the letter to that effect was not made available to the state government.

The deputy governor said Mr Adu had written a petition to the state government, alleging that Odofin was disrespecting his stool and acting in a manner that denigrated his position as the prescribed authority in the town.

In the petition, the traditional ruler accused the embattled chief of parading himself as Oloja Afao without being granted autonomy, contrary to the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

However, the deputy governor mandated Odofin to attend any meetings convened by Mr Adu, even if it was once a month, despite his health challenges.

Responding on behalf of the estranged chief, the spokespersons of the Afao community, Tokunbo Omotayo and Rufus Akeredolu, said though the community was making agitations over autonomy, this would not coerce them to disrespect Ogoga, the paramount ruler of the kingdom.

They said the problem started when they started agitating for autonomy in Ikere-Ekiti, adding that their mission was to fast-track development and not to divide the town or cause disaffection.

(NAN)