The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has extended warning to traditional chiefs or honorary chiefs who wear the regalia of an Oba to desist from such acts.
The second in command in the state has said anyone caught in this act would be arrested and prosecuted by the constituted authority.
He said this decision is taken to preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution.
Egbeyemi said it is necessary for the government to curb the unrighteous use of crowns and beaded walking sticks by palace chiefs who are not, in true sense, traditional rulers, in the communities of the state.
According to a statement made available by his spokesperson, Odunayo Ogunmola, the deputy governor warned that people should desist from such act, as non compliance would lead to arrest.
He said: “No chief that is under an Oba in our state has the right to wear a crown or use beaded sticks. It is only Obas that are entitled to wear crowns and use beaded sticks. The chiefs can use ordinary walking sticks and not the beaded traditional ones.
“Beaded walking sticks are for Obas only, crowns are meant for Obas only. You don’t have two or more Obas in a town. No chief should parade himself as an Oba no matter how rich or influential he may be. He must respect the Oba under whom he is serving.
“If all of us are using crowns and beaded sticks, there will be confusion in our towns and that amounts to disrespect of our Obas and our government will not tolerate that. If anybody shows contempt for Obas, such an individual is playing with trouble.
“I am by this order putting chiefs in our communities under notice to desist from usurping the authorities of Obas in Ekiti State. Any chief who uses the paraphernalia of Obas is playing with six months imprisonment,” he said.
“I want you (Adewumi) to go back to the palace and beg your Kabiyesi and henceforth cooperate with him for the development of your town. You are a chief under him and don’t do anything that can diminish the throne of the Olohan.”