Ekiti Monarch, Owa-Ooye Okemesi Dethrones APC Chieftain As Chief, Suspends Others

The Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Michael Adedeji Gbadebo has relieved, a stalwart of All Progressive Congress (AOC), Mr Gbenga Oyewole (aka Mexico) as the Chief Olori Odo of Okemesi Ekiti.

This was sequel to the sporadic shooting and vandalization of properties by a gang allegedly led by Mr Oyewole who is notorious for mob action and criminal activities in the town.

Mr Gbenga Oyewole, who was installed as the honourary chief of Olori Odo of Okemesi Ekiti two years ago was disgraced out of this position in a letter dated 20 March, 2023 and titled; Letter of Dethronement.

It was signed by Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Adedeji Gbadebo and the council Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Akeju.

Copy of the letter was sent to the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, Permanent Secretary of the Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State Deputy Governor’s Office and Okemesi Youth Council.

The letter read “At the statutory meeting of the Owa Ooye-in-council held at the council chamber on 20th of March, 2023, the following decisions were made in your respect.

“That you, Honorary Chief Gbenga Oyewole has been relieved of your appointment as the Olori Odo of Okemesi Ekiti from today 20th March, 2023.

“That this decision was made by the council due to your acts of gross misconducts which has brought about undue embarrassment to the council and in effect denigrated the exalted post of chieftaincy title holder in the town.

“That by this letter, you have been derecognized by the Owa Ooye-in-council and should henceforth stop parading yourself as Olori Odo of Okemesi Ekiti.”

The dethroned chief is a young politician who decamped from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC where he was appointed the Supervisor for Works.

The Kabiyesi was reported to have said that Oyewole was always engaging in various allegations ranging from theft of transformer to political brigandage.

Among other APC topnotchers who were alleged of gross misconduct was Chief Lejua of Okemesi, Chief Ilesanmi Ajibade who is also the APC leader in the town and former member of Hospital Management board under the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi. Chief Ajibade also decamped from PDP to APC some 14 years ago.

The Kabiyesi reportedly suspended Chief Ilesanmi from sitting among the decision making body of Owa Ooye-in-council on Mondays in the palace.

This decision was informed by the revelation made by one of the night Guards, Mr Sule (surname withheld) who accused Chief Ilesanmi Ajibade of withdrawing the guns of the town guards few weeks before the election and later presented same to political thugs who invaded the town on the eve of the house of Assembly Election in Okemesi Ekiti.

It would be recalled that on the eve of House of Assembly election where Mr Johnson Oyekola Bode-Adeoye (JOBA) emerged, members of his party led by Mr Gbenga Oyewole were seen shooting sporadically round the town and vandalizing properties of the opposition to scare them from coming out to vote the following day. This matter was reported by the victims to the Kabiyesi and decisions were taken on it.