The Ifon quarters in Omu Ekiti, Oye Local Government, Ekiti State, has been thrown into a festive mood following the installation of Mr. Lawrence Bamidele Idowu as the new monarch, the Olufon.
The Olufon-in-Council of Ifon quarters, led by the Obaisa (Prime Minister), Chief Abraham Idowu Akanle, performed the traditional rites, which attracted a large number of the community’s sons and daughters.
Media consultant to the new monarch, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, said the appointment and installation of the monarch had put to rest the purported installation of another person from another quarter.
The installation of a new Olufon by Oba Owajomu had stirred controversy and tension. In Omu Ekiti, Ifon, Ibalogun and Arin Omu are three quarters that had come together to run a confederation system of government.
Dismissing the previous exercise as an “exercise in futility,” Akanle, while addressing his kinsmen/women, declared that by his title as Obaisa, he had the sole right to present the Olufon to the people and the government, adding, “I stand here today, to dismiss the previous exercise as it was an exercise in futility.”
He said, “The three quarters are independent and not superior to one another. They run a confederation government from ancient past. They only meet once a month to deliberate on issues that connect them together and not usurping their traditional roles.
“Also under Ifon, we are divided into two; that is, Ifon and Ilesi. They are of the same mother. And the arrangement over the years is such that whenever we want to put on throne a new Olufon, the Olufon has to come to Ibepe in Obaisa house at Ilese for three months before he becomes the King of Ifon. And when Obaisa is to be enthroned, he has to be at Olufon’s house for three months to become Oba Ilesi.”
Shortly after the traditional rites to install Oba Idowu were performed by the Council, six chiefs were also presented their certificates. The six chiefs are Chief Oluwafemi Andrew Akinlabi (Ejemu), Chief Faleye Ojo (Oloriawo), Chief Samuel Afolabi Ajayi (Obasa), Chief (Mrs) Ramotu Aruna (Aremo Obirin), Chief Oni Oluwatoba Elijah (Oloye) and Chief Florence Abiodun (Ajado).
