By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has cautioned female regents in the state against clinging to power or engaging in actions that could disrupt peace in their interim leadership roles.
The governor’s message followed the installation of Princess Serifat Owolabi as the first female regent of Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area.
Represented by Deputy Governor Chief Monisade Afuye, Oyebanji delivered the charge on Thursday during a visit to the newly installed regent. The address was conveyed through a statement signed by Afuye’s Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje.
Princess Owolabi’s installation came after the passing of Oba Olu Adegoke Adeyemi of the Arakale ruling house, who died on 9 August 2025, leaving the Alara stool vacant.
Addressing community stakeholders, Afuye called on the Alara-in-Council to give full support to the regent, stressing that unity and cooperation were essential for her reign to deliver meaningful benefits to the people.
She also appealed to traditional kingmakers and community leaders to focus on ensuring a transparent and God-fearing selection process for a substantive monarch, insisting that development could not thrive in an atmosphere of discord.
“This marks a new era in Aramoko Ekiti. Your request for a female regent was thoroughly considered and ratified by the State Executive Council after careful scrutiny. We expect the regent to foster unity among the sons and daughters of this community, as harmony is key to progress,” Afuye said.
“As a government, we believe that the primary duty of a regent is to facilitate a smooth and timely process to install a substantive king, rather than seeking to extend their tenure. Any attempt to prolong regency could trigger unnecessary crisis, which we do not expect to see in Aramoko,” she added.
In her remarks, Princess Owolabi thanked Governor Oyebanji’s administration for approving the community’s request for a female regent, describing it as a historic step that would strengthen trust among local chiefs and restore harmony in Aramoko.
She urged the state government to consider establishing a university in Aramoko and rehabilitating the roads linking the town to neighbouring communities to boost development.
Backing the regent’s appeal, High Chief Diran Adebayo, the Asao of Aramoko Ekiti, praised the state government for swiftly resolving the regency dispute. He called for a landmark project to be located in the town as a lasting tribute to its first female regent.
