Some residents of Iyemero-Ekiti, in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State have asked the state government to remove their traditional ruler, Oba Ebenezer Ogungbemi.
The residents, including traditional chiefs, youths and women, marched to the headquarters of the local council area as they sang solidarity songs.
The protesters accused Ogungbemi of misappropriation of funds meant for the payment of monthly stipends of traditional chiefs and illegal sale of land in the community.
The President of the town’s union, Fatoyinbo Idowu, alleged that the traditional ruler ascended the throne through questionable means as he was not entitled to the stool.
“The oba (king) has been unilaterally withholding the stipends due to the traditional chiefs of the town for the last 10 years,” Idowu said.
The protesters, who had earlier met the council of obas in the Ikole LGA threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission if the king failed to heed their call.
Also, two youth leaders of the town, Odeleye Adeleye and Francis Olayinka, urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to remove Ogungbemi in the interest of peace.
But in a swift reaction, the spokesperson for the traditional ruler, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, said the protest was the handiwork of some disgruntled individuals in the community.
“There is no truth in the allegation that the kabiyesi (monarch) is selling parcels of land in the community or that community chiefs have not been collecting their entitlements.”
The prince urged the residents to cooperate with the traditional ruler and not allow themselves to be used to cause chaos in their hometown.