Ayodele Bamidele

Apprehension and anxiety are the order of the day among the people of Ikole in Ekiti state following the absence of the community’s monarch, Oba Adewunmi Fasiku, for the past four years.

Various stakeholders, especially youth groups have through written petitions and protest demanded for the whereabouts of Oba Fasiku without answer.

The Elekole-in-Council has insisted that the traditional ruler, sought and obtained necessary permission before traveling on a medical vacation abroad.

The council spoke in reaction to reports that the royal father’s whereabouts were unknown and that he was incommunicado.

The Elekole-in-Council, in a statement signed by the Second-in-Command to the Elekole and Olotin of Ikole-Ekiti, Chief Oluwasayo Okunola, made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti stated “The people in Ikole Ekiti are aware of the king’s whereabouts. He is indisposed like any other human being can be, and he is receiving treatment abroad.”

The Save Ikole Group, one of the associations had, in the report, claimed that its prevailed on its members, who are mainly youths in the town from attacking chiefs of the community over the royal fathers’ state of health and whereabouts.

But the council stated, “The good thing is that he (the Elekole) is recuperating, and that was apparent when he addressed the chiefs and a large number of the town people via virtual means. Where the group got it from that the King is incommunicado is what we do not know.

“When the king was travelling, he took all necessary steps and procedures by seeking approval from the state government, which is the constitutional requirement, and he duly informed members of Elekole-in-council and other Chiefs.

“It is laughable how the Save Ikole Group claimed they prevented the youths from protesting and beating up the chiefs; how on earth would Ikole youths resort to these unknown persons for advice?

“We have challenged them, and we are doing so for the umpteenth time to mention the names of the youths they met with, but they have been unable.

“The only youth body in Ikole-Ekiti, the Ikole Youth Forum, has denied ever planning a protest, let alone meeting them.

“For us, the good sons and daughters of Ikole are still full of joy over the State Specialist Hospital in the town that has just been upgraded to a Federal Medical Centre and other developments happening in the town in spite the absence of the king.”