Igbajo Chieftaincy – Ruling houses urge Adeleke to release white paper
By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Princes from Owa Oke-Odo and Owa Odo-Iloro ruling houses in the Igbajo community, Bolueaduro local government area of Osun State have accused the former governor of the state Mr Gboyega Oyetola of imposing Oba Gboyega Famodun on the ancient town of Igbajo.
This was as they urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of the state to fulfil his promise and make public, the white paper on suspended traditional rulers in the state.
The princes made the appeal while embarking on a unity walk in the town.
Our Correspondent reported that Oyetola appointed and presented a staff of office to Adegboyega Famodun who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, as the new Owa of Igbajo.
However, Adeleke, on assumption of office in November 2022, suspended Famodun alongside the Aree of Iree town and Akirun of Ikinrun town through an Executive Order.
But the committee’s report is yet to be made public months after submission.
The princes while fielding questions from journalists, said the Governor can give a permanent rest to the imbroglio on the kingship issued by releasing the white paper.
The ruling houses represented by Prince Alabi Adesola, Prince Ismail Ogundare, Prince Segun Dada, Prince Adeyinka Adereni, Prince Olumide Oladele, and Chief Aderemi, said people of Igbajo and other affected towns deserved to know their fate.
They said, “What we are doing today is to let the entire Igbajo and whole world know that, we Omo Owa Oke-Ode and Odo-Iloro have come together to let the the people of Igbajo know that we are all united and we are speaking with one voice.
“We in Igbajo and other affected towns in the state deserved to know the fate of our domain, hence, the need for Governor Adeleke to hasten his decision on the kingship matter.
“The two ruling houses, especially Owa Oke-Ode who is their turn to produce the King now said Prince Adegboyega Famodun’s installation as the Owa of Igbajo land was based on politics and gratification while he was imposed on the town by the immediate past administration of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola because of his political position in the state.
“The Government should not allow some stakeholders who have been compromised and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mislead His Excellency as an injustice to one is an injustice to all.”