•Governor stops action against shrine

The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, has denied collecting N1 million from Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to relocate some deities and pave way for the dualisation of the township road.

Addressing reporters in his palace yesterday, Oba Obasoyin described Fayose’s allegation against him as “a blackmail targeted at smearing his image”.

Fayose, at his monthly media chat earlier in the week, accused the monarch of collecting N1 million from his administration to relocate the shrine ahead of the road project.

Also, the governor has bowed to demands of the residents and agreed to spare the contentious Ege tree, believed to be over 1,000 years old at the Ereja Shrine.

A visit to the site yesterday revealed that the contractor had diverted the road around the tree under the eagle eyes of traditionalists who were on the ground to forestall its felling.

Clearing the air on the controversy surrounding the alleged receipt of N1 million, Oba Obasoyin said the money was not given to him personally, either in cheque or in cash.

There was a riot in the community on Monday when Fayose ordered that the Ege tree be felled to give way for the dualisation of the major road that passes through the town.

The Olukere said two of his chiefs – the Eselemo of Odo Oja, Chief Adeyemi Fajilade and Saya, Chief Foluso Olowofela – collected the money from the Commissioner of Works, Mrs Funmilayo Ogun.

The monarch said the money was used for the relocation of four deities with the exception of the ancient tree.
According to him, the contractor handling the project assured the people that the road could continue without the tree being pulled down.