Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, has appealed to kingmakers in the town to avoid crisis over the appointment of a Regent, following the death of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Adegboye.
He also warned the kingmakers against arbitrariness in performing the burial rites of the late traditional ruler.
The late first class monarch from Akayejo dynasty – one of the three ruling houses in the town, died on August 22, after a brief illness at age 85.
There are reports that two daughters of the late monarch are at loggerheads over who should become the regent pending the appointmet of a substantive Ogoga.
Ikere-Ekiti is a town with two kings: Olukere and Ogoga.
Addressing journalists at his palace, the Olukere, who by tradition is the Chief Priest and founder of the kingdom, said the reported crisis between two daughters of the late Oba Adegboye was needless, because Regent is mere ceremonial position without executive powers.
"The 1933 Intelligence Report written by N.A.C. Weir, former District Officer of Ikere Ekiti under the old Ondo Province made it clear that only Sapetu and the head of kingmakers can exercise executive powers.
"So the Regent is mere ceremonial and I advise whoever gets there not to go beyond her bound by usurping the power of Sapetu. The Regent cannot even go to the public under the guise of representing the town as Regent. It is just a ceremonial position," the Olukere clarified.
Oba Obasoyin, who sympathised with the indigenes of the town over the death of Ogoga, said the peace of the town was very paramount to him "being the founder of the town and Chief Priest."
The monarch said he won't fold his arms and allow some people to plunge the town into crisis.
The traditional ruler urged the princes to consult widely with the kingmakers in arriving at a choice of Regent that would be in the overall interest of the populace.
Dispelling rumour of rivalry between the two stools, the monarch clarified that Ogoga and Olukere were not rivals as is being insinuated.
"The two of us have distinctive roles to play in Ikere Ekiti as traditional rulers. Our roles did not overlap at all and there is no reason for any rivalry," he said.
