Aiyegunle Ekiti community in Ekiti State has again been brought under siege by the recently deposed monarch, Mr Folorunso Johnson Aderiye, who has began a random arrest of people perceived to be masterminds of his ouster.
This action is sequel to the demand by the Aiyegunle Ekiti Chiefs in Council that the deposed king should hand over every regalia of office in his custody on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, following his dethronement traditional exercise which took place on July 4, 2025.
Consequent upon the traditional dethronement exercise, some youth suspected to have been prominent in the ouster of the monarch, narrowly escaped being picked up yesterday.
Deposed Aderiye
As at press time, one Dare Ajayi, x native, is being detained with the RSS Ado Ekiti while several youth have escaped the community to hideout.
Ekiti State Government had earlier issued a release, distancing self from the matter, stressing it is a traditional affair that is strictly in the purview of the community.
Government went further to say that whatever is being done should be carried out peacefully as any action that would lead to a breakdown of law and order would not be tolerated.
However, the process which had been peaceful from the point of dethronement took another twist towards violence Wednesday, when Aderiye in cahoots with the police authority in Ijero Ekiti began a manhunt for perceived youths leading his ouster.
Babafemi Adeyanju, a resident in Ayegunle, said “this is a budding trouble that will escalate with gory consequences should government fail to wade in and call the deposed king to order.
‘ What Aderiye resolved to, now is the main reason he was deposed. When a king bares fang on subjects in a bid to forcing them to submission, the tendency that you loose your relevance and popularity are high, ” Adeyanju said.
The kingmakers in Ayegunle have expressly made their decision known that the ousted monarch’s dethronement is irreversible.
The High Chiefs, comprising: 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, have jointly stamped out the 27 year old rule of Aderiye and are saying never again
They ratified the ouster of Aderiye and are demanding that he submit all traditional regalia with him to the town’s secretary.
“Sequel to the ouster of Mr Folorunsho Johnson Aderiye as the traditional head of Ayegunle Ekiti, we the Chiefs in council hereby demand that the deposed king submit all paraphernalia of office in his custody to the Secretary of the town for community access.
“This is the next stage after every traditional rites leading to the dethronement were performed on June 4, 2025, terminating the 27 years reign.
“We expect the peaceful conduct of the dethronement exercise to be reciprocated wirh a solemn hahdover in the interest of peace and tranquility in the community, which should be of paramount concern to all of us,” they have jointly resolved
