By Esi-ife Arogundade
Ayegunle, a sleepy town in Ekiti State ame alive Wednesday as the monarch, Oba Johnson Folorunsho Aderiye, was dethroned by his subjects.
Aderiye was accused of being defiant, a serial rights violator and unbridled dictator.
Backed by high chiefs in his traditional cabinet, the people rose in unison Wednesday to stamp out the 27 year old reign of a man the overwhelming majority of his subjects view as vicious, vindictive and a gross rights abuser.
In a hurried press statement issued today, and co-signed by High Chief Ilesanmi Olugola, the Eesa of Ayegunle Ekiti and head of the kingmaker, High Chief Pius Ogunlusi, Eesinkin of Ayegunle Ekiti, High Chief Ayodele Omoniyi, the Odofin of Ayegunle Ekiti, High Chief Tubosun Arowolo, the Sajuku of Ayegunle Ekiti and Chief Ojo Omokanju, the Eesaya of Ayegunle Ekiti, it was gathered that the monarch was dethroned and banished into exile.
Oba Johnson Folorunsho Aderiye, the Alayegunle of Ayegunle Ekiti, have been severally accused of abuse of power.
It was gathered that the traditional ruler engaged in gross human rights violations in the town, like illegally detaining scores of young people in the community at various police stations in the state.
The wanton abuse of power started, after youths of the community staged a peaceful protest against one of the monarch’s crony, the Olori Awo of Ayegunle community, Ojo Obasua,.
Ojo was alleged to have taken pictures of one of his concubine and threatened to post them on social media because the lady in question wanted to expose him for impregnating a minor.
The youths then staged a peaceful protest, calling for his removal as a chief in the community.
However, instead of showing remorse, Ojo threatened them with charms and cursed them.
And rather than mediate peacefully, Oba Aderiye, was said to have thrown his weight in support of his friend.
The issue escalated culminating into a point where prominent indigenes had to intervene, but to no avail.
Not pleased by the outcome of resolution, the ousted monarch, in cahoots with his friends stuck to guns, leading to another serious protest six months later
In the ensuing meelee, a lot of the youth were seized by the monarch and were detained.
It was gathered that Oba Aderiye recruited traditional guards who served as his thugs that he deploy to harass innocent people within the community.
Lleader pf the youth in Ayegunle was not spared as he was alleged to have been arrested and beaten to stupor before he was locked up.
Those who witnessed how the youth leader was maltreated staged another protest and demanded his release.
The youths also seized one of Oba Aderiye’s children and threatened to exchange the child for their leaders’ freedom.
Some of the chiefs who tried to intervene and restore peace to the community were also arrested and detained.
The commotion led to total economic shutdown as shops belonging to the youth loyalists and supporters were locked and the reign of terror bore full fangs
The reign of terror persisted until police had to step in to restore order in the community, even as the youth leader remained in the monarch’s detention.
Reacting to current situation, Chief Olugola said the ouster of Oba Aderiye was long overdue: “we only waited to buy time thinking he would reoentv from his evil way and allow peace and tranquility to reign in our community . But we saw a defiant man who, blinded by power, forgot that the sovereignty of an Oba is in the custody of the people.”
