The residents of Iyemero Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Areas Monday staged a public protest against their monarch, the Olu, Oba Ebenezer Agboola Ogungbemi.

The residents including traditional chiefs, youths and women began their protest with solidarity songs and marched to the headquarters of local council area.

The protesters accused Oba Ogungbemi of misappropriating money meant for the payment of monthly stipends of traditional chiefs and illegal sale of land in the community.

President of the town’s Union, Fatoyinbo Idowu said the monarch ascended the throne through questionable means as he that the monarch was not entitled to Iyemero kingship.

He also accused the monarch of unilaterally withholding the stipends due to the traditional chiefs of the town in the last ten years.

The protesters who had earlier met the council of Obas in Ikole local government threatened to petition the monarch by calling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should the monarch jettison the appeal of well-meaning sons and daughters of Iyemero Ekiti.

Also, two youth leaders of the town, Odeleye Adeleye accused the monarch of shortchanging the town.

Another youth leader, Francis Olayinka urged Governor Ayo Fayose to remove the Olu for allegedly desecrating the throne.

In a swift reaction, the spokesperson to the monarch, Prince Michael Ogungbemi said the protest is the handiwork of some disgruntled individuals in the community.

He said the monarch is not selling lands in the community and community chiefs have been collecting stipends from the monarch.

The prince urged the subjects to cooperate with the monarch and should not allow themselves to be used to cause chaos in their hometown.

The lingering crisis rocking the town over the removal of the traditional ruler of the town began about two years ago, and every attempt made to settle the feud has not yielded a positive result. (The Nation)