Owa: “Gov Adeleke’s White Paper Contrast Chieftaincy Law” – Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House

The controversis surrounding the white paper released by Governor Ademola Adeleke on the selection of some monsrchs in Osun are raken another dimension as the Owa Oke-Ode ruling house of Igbajo, Osun State on Monday, called the attention of the public to the pointlessly meddling of Governor Adeleke in the already completed process of selection, appointment and installation of the Owa of Igbajoland.

It could be recalled that Oba Phillips Adegboyega Famodun had earlier installed by the Igbajo Kingmakers before the white paper disapproved the process.

While responding in behalf of the One-Ode rulling house, the Secretary to the Ruling House, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemo, stated that “the kingmakers had already selected, announced and installed Oba Phillips Adegboyega Famodun as the authentic Owa of Igbajo on November 22, 2022 having completed all necessary rites and due accordance with the Chieftaincy Law of the land starting from the ruling houses to the kingmakers and to the Local Government and unequivocally approved under the then Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Alhaji Adeboyega Oyetola (now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy).

“The government order pertaining the re-selection process of a new Oba in the recently published White Paper as oppressive, vindictive and vendetta laden and will not be possible as it is unnecessary, contrast with the Chieftaincy Law and there can only be one Oba at a time in Agbajo”.

“Other dissatisfied Princes named Prince Olaniyi Akande, Prince Ademola Makinde, Prince Awodola Tunde, Prince Esan Sunday versus The Executive Governor of Osun State being the defendant are already challenging the emerged Prince in the competent court with law suit No. HIK/1/2023”.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemo, further stated that, the actions taken by the Osun State Government led by Governor Adeleke is more of a political vendetta.

“The actions taken by the present Executive Arm of Osun State is more of a political vendetta, as Famodun was the immediate past State Chairman of the opposition party, All Progressives Congress APC in Osun and it is ironic as the members of the Executive Arm that played a great role in the selection and installation of Oba Phillips Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo are now constituting a clog in wheel of progress over the issue”.

However, the Owa Council, Iwarefa leaders and members, Modede Women, The Iyabode of Igbajoland, Baba Obanla Iloro of Igbajo; Olatunde Micheal Ajibogun as well as the ten Baale of the ten villages with his staffs under each household were all present alongside the Secretary to the ruling Houses were all present at the Conference.

Meanwhile, members of the Community are of the opinion that there has been peace, tranquility and development in Igbajo since the enthronement of Oba Phillips and they wouldn’t not accept any attempts by the State Government to be a judge in its own case as well as actions or inactions that would disrupt the existing peace in their ancestry town.