Public affairs analyst Omojola-Martins Ademulegun has called on the Ekiti State Government to strictly comply with the registered chieftaincy declaration guiding the selection of the Alara of Aramoko, warning against altering the process midway through the exercise. Commenting on the ongoing Alara selection dispute, Ademulegun argued that the succession process should be concluded in accordance with the law rather than through administrative directives.
According to him, Governor Biodun Oyebanji should allow the selection process to continue under the provisions already established, insisting that “the goalposts should not be shifted in the middle of the game.” The Alara stool became vacant following the death of Oba Olu Adegoke Adeyemi in August 2025, prompting the commencement of the traditional selection process.
Ademulegun described the succession exercise as a significant test of the rule of law, maintaining that the state’s registered chieftaincy declaration must remain the guiding legal instrument throughout the process. He criticised a directive reportedly issued by the Deputy Governor recommending that the selection should proceed solely through Ifa consultation rather than voting by kingmakers.
While acknowledging the importance of tradition, Ademulegun argued that the directive conflicts with the provisions of the Registered Ekiti State Chieftaincy Declaration 2024 governing the Alara stool. He explained that the declaration was approved in 2023 before being officially gazetted in 2024, making it binding on every party involved, including the state government.
According to him, the selection process had already progressed substantially when kingmakers met on April 23, 2026. He stated that eight contestants from the Olokun Ruling House initially participated, after which Ifa divination reduced the number of eligible candidates to three, in line with the requirements of the declaration.
The 12 kingmakers subsequently voted, producing the following outcome: Prince Tope Ademiluyi – 6 votes, Prince Femi Akinlabi – 6 votes, Prince Adewumi Adetoyinbo – 0 votes
Ademulegun noted that government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, local government authorities and senior civil servants, supervised the exercise.
He argued that the process had therefore advanced beyond the screening stage into the legally recognised voting phase. Responding to concerns that voting could encourage bribery, Ademulegun maintained that such an argument represents a policy opinion rather than a legal basis for abandoning the process.
He pointed to provisions within the registered declaration which provide that where voting ends in a tie, the Head of the Kingmakers should exercise a casting vote to determine the successful candidate. According to him, the declaration also provides for appointments by simple majority and anticipates situations where voting results in equality.
He explained that although the Head of the Kingmakers declined to cast the deciding vote at the time and called for another meeting, government officials present agreed to reconvene under the existing legal framework. Ademulegun argued that replacing voting with a different method after the exercise had already reached that stage lacks legal backing.
He further warned that changing the process midway could violate the legitimate expectations of contestants and kingmakers who participated under the existing rules. According to him, the role of Ifa under the declaration is to sanction qualified candidates from the ruling house rather than replace the voting stage after it has already taken place.
He cautioned that restarting the Alara selection dispute under new guidelines could trigger prolonged litigation, deepen divisions within Aramoko-Ekiti and delay the installation of a new monarch. To resolve the matter, Ademulegun urged the Ekiti State Government to reconvene the kingmakers, enforce the provisions relating to the casting vote, document the proceedings transparently and allow the registered declaration to determine the final outcome without political interference.
He stressed that the emergence of the next Alara should be guided by both law and established custom, adding that adherence to the existing declaration would strengthen public confidence in the traditional institution and the state’s commitment to the rule of law.
