Amananawei Stool: Atike family accuses Kekemeke clan of imposition

…seeks Ondo government’s intervention

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Atike family of Agadagba-Obon in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State has appealed to the state government to intervene in the dispute over the Amananawei stool to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

In a statement issued in Akure by its spokesperson, Ofoyeju Gbinmoye Medek, the family accused the Kekemeke clan of attempting to impose a traditional ruler despite a pending court case.

Ofoyeju described the move as “strange, selfish and non-inclusive”, warning that it could destabilise peace in the community.

It read: “As a strong stakeholder in Agadagba-Obon, the attitude of the Kekemeke family to single-handedly select and install the Amananawei is a brazen embarrassment to the John Atike family.

“The family will not play second fiddle to any family in the Amananawei issue. So, the Kekemeke family must be called to order as a matter of urgency to forestall peaceful co-existence in the community.”

The Atike family also accused the Kekemeke clan of boasting about political and judicial connections while ignoring peace moves initiated by the Agadagba of Arogbo kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Pere Doubra Zacchaeus Egbunu, Opukutu III. It further alleged threats of attacks against its members ahead of the September 15 stool selection.

However, the Kekemeke Royal Family, in a petition to the Commissioner of Police, accused members of the Atike family of attempted murder, assault, wilful destruction of property and criminal trespass during the selection exercise.

According to the petition, “Hon. Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who was presiding over the meeting as Head of the Ruling House, became an easy target, as it took spirited efforts of his police orderly and two other policemen to save his life; even at that, he was dispossessed of his iPad containing very important judicial documents.”

The Kekemeke family urged the police to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice, insisting it was ready to provide evidence and cooperate fully with the authorities.