Protests erupted in Ikere Ekiti on Wednesday following the destruction of a billboard with the picture of the Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin, allegedly on the orders of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The Olukere, who has been at loggerheads with the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, who is believed to enjoy strong backing from the governor, alleged that Fayose personally tore his picture on the billboard in the heart of the town.
But Fayose, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, has dismissed the allegation as “unfounded.”
It was learnt that the incident happened when Fayose was returning to Ekiti from Akure, the capital of Ondo State, after visiting Akwa Ibom State.
The protesters, who gathered at the popular Odo Oja junction at about 6pm on Wednesday, chanted anti-government slogans in condemnation of the action.
Angry youths, who barricaded roads leading to the town, attacked billboards with Ogoga’s picture in Ikere Ekiti in retaliation.
Following the development, commuters from Akure, Ita Ogbolu, Iju, Ise, Emure, Ado Ekiti and other communities were left stranded for hours, as they could not pass through Ikere to their destinations.
The protesters continued on Thursday, prompting the police to deploy more men to the community to restore calm.
The Olukere, who addressed reporters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, expressed surprise at the destruction of the billboard with his picture.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter.
Obasoyin said, “My life now is at stake. If someone could personally supervise the tearing of my billboard, what would he do if he meets me face to face?”
“It is rather surprising that with the hectic work the office of the governor requires, he could still go to the street to destroy Oba’s billboard. Fayose and Ogoga have forgotten so soon that the land Ogoga is occupying in Ikere and the authority he is using were given to him by my palace, including his crown.
“Ogoga in history was never a crowned prince anywhere, including in Benin, where he claimed to have come from. I made him who he is and he should not push my people to go to war. They should let Ikere be.
“They wanted to ignite crisis and burn down my town, but I am pleading that they should desist because I am the owner of the land and I won’t allow it to burn. I am a descendant of Oduduwa and one of the founders of Ekitiland. We are going to resist any attempt by Ogoga, who is a stranger in my land, to conspire with Fayose to obliterate my stool.”
But Adelusi said, “There are some lies when told, you win sympathy. But in other cases, you will look foolish. To say that the governor tore the poster or destroyed the billboard or sent people to destroy the whatever is a lie carried too far.
“Fayose is not from Ikere. He is not interested in who rules Ikere. How can he nurse animosity against the Olukere? That this administration gave recognition to the Ogoga, Fayose was simply following the law, particularly on the Ikere issue.
“None of the past administrations gave recognition to Olukere to rule over Ikereland. Does the Olukere expect Governor Fayose to do otherwise and cause crisis in the ancient town?
“The Olukere was only ventilating his anger when he alleged that the governor destroyed or sent people to destroy his posters. The allegation is unfounded.
