I paid N1m to relocate gods, deities in Ikere - Fayose
- Governor Fayose has paid the sum of one million naira for the relocation of the deities in Ikere Ekiti
- The state is set to demolish the historical site for the purpose of road dualisation
- Meanwhile, it has been stiffly resisted by residents of the area who believes the removal of the tree will spell doom for the community
The tension in Ekiti state, specifically Ikere over a sacred tree located in a historical site in the community which the government wants to uproot as the dualisation project of the ancient town continues is still raging as attempt by government agents and the contractor handling the project to remove the tree was met with stiff resistance by people of the area.
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As a result of the tension and resistance, Governor Fayose allegedly led armed policemen and operatives of the state security outfit, “Operation Flush” to the area but was resisted by the people of the area.
The youths in the area also formed human shield around the shrine, preventing the bulldozers from uprooting the said shrine.
According to them, the historical site known by the locals as the “Ereja” and the location where the annual Olosunta Festival is celebrated is significant and uprooting it will spell doom for the community.
Consequently, the residents sacrifices made with a goat, split open and pigeon and other fetish objects at the site while palm fronds in the shrine.
Meanwhile, while addressing reporters in his palace yesterday, Olukere of Ikere, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin, said “cutting down the sacred tree and demolishing the Ereja was akin to passing a death sentence on me (Olukere).”
Joining the Olukere was Alare of Are-Ikere, Chief Oguntuase Atitebi and the Elejoka of Ikuomoba-Ikere, Chief Benjamin Owolade both of whom claimed that he (Olukere) is the head of the community.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, on his part insisted that the construction must go on.
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“Houses have been demolished, now that it is the shrine, it is only proper that we relocate it to a proper place. “With the necessary appeasement, the shrine could be relocated. All the gods in Yoruba land are for protection and not for death. We want to assure him (Olukere) that nothing bad will happen to him,” he said.
Lere Olayinka, an aide to Governor Fayose while reacting said: "Fayose said he paid Olukere one million Naira for movement of deities in Ikere to other location.
"Hear Him: On the Ikere matter, I met with Ogoga and Olukere before the dualisation of Ikere started and we talked about ancient deities that will be affected by the construction. Olukere told me the movement of the deities will cost #1m, I paid and he signed on 11th January, 2017," Olayinka said.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Governor Ayodele Fayose took governance to a new height as he was seen liaison with black marketers in Ado Ekiti.
The state governor has been at loggerheads with petrol marketers for some time.
The governor has consequently revoked some Certificates of Occupancy of landed properties on which filling stations are built.
However, between Buhari and Fayose of Ekiti state, Nigerians in this Legit.ng video speak on who they will vote for if the chance presented itself in 2019.
Watch the video:
Source: Legit.ng
