BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Prominent indigenes and stakeholders in Igbajo land, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State, have kicked against the alleged disobedience of the step aside order of the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, by Prince Adegboyega Famodun, the traditional ruler of the community who was sacked by the governor’s Executive Order.
Famodun, who had been installed as Owa of Igbajoland by the government of Gboyega Oyetola, but sacked through an Executive Order of the administration of Adeleke, was said to have returned to the community’s palace, paraded himself as the traditional ruler of the land and also carried out activities in the palace in flagrant disobedience to the subsisting government’s order.
Recall that Governor Adeleke had signed Executive Order among which is the nullification of all traditional rulers installed from July 17 to the time he assumed office.
Adeleke specifically ordered that the new monarchs of Igbajo (Famodun), lree and Ikirun communities should vacate their palaces pending the determination of their status by government after the submission of the report of a Panel of Enquiry on Chieftaincy Matters that would review their installation.
The state government has yet to formally issue any White Paper on the chieftaincy crisis in Igbajo and other affected towns.
However, the indigenes of Igbajo, including some aggrieved ruling houses including Loye Oke Odo, Aworoosun, Nigemo, Omokan and Baba Owa all of the Owa Oke Ode side among others, said they were perturbed to see Famodun accessed the palace alongside some chiefs on Monday to kickstart an annual event called Oroke Festival.
They said such action was capable of causing violence in the community and urged Governor Adeleke to warn Famodun against stoking tension in the community through his alleged illegal activities.
In their protest letter obtained on Tuesday and jointly signed by Prince Adewale Makinde, Prince Taiwo Oladele, Prince Olawale Oladele, Prince Adegoke Esan (Chief Akogun), Prince Adeyemo Esan, Prince Gbenga Akande, Pa Olu Alao, Pa Adeyoju Awodola, Pa Dele Idowu, Pa Dele Alabi, Pastor Mosobalaje Ajenikoko and Pastor Abidoye Idowu, the concerned indigenes and Princes noted that the community had been peaceful since Governor Adeleke intervened and made the Executive Order, saying the town has been patiently awaiting the White Paper of the state government on the chieftaincy crisis and would not tolerate any act that could jeopardise continuous peace in the land.
“We are constrained to raise this alarm of the illegality committed by Prince Adegboyega Famodun at the Owa of Igbajo palace on Monday, May 1, 2023 where the sacked monarch gained entry into the palace, paraded himself as Owa of Igbajo and kicked start the annual Oroke Festival in gross violation of the Executive Order of Mr. Governor.
“It is clear that Famodun, who was imposed on the town by the immediate past administration of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola is up to something sinister which will not bear Igbajo community any good. His disobedient posture is capable of causing violence in the town and that’s why we are protesting and appealing to our amiable Governor Ademola Adeleke to put Famodun in order before situation gets out of control.
“In the same vein, we are also using this medium to appeal to the Osun State Commissioner of Police and Director of State Service (DSS) to please wade into action in ensuring that the Executive order of the Governor is enforced and respected.
“We are aware of his moves to lobby your Excellency into becoming the Owa of Igbajo illegally, but we are not perturbed because we know that you (Governor Adeleke) are a man of integrity and fear of God who will not succumb to illegal and unjust sentiments.
“We are using this medium to humbly plead with your Excellency not to allow the selfish interest of the former Chairman of APC in Osun State and his cohorts to soil your good name and political career. The whole Owa Oke-Ode and entire people of Igbajoland reject Prince Adegboyega Famodun as the next Owa of Igbajo.The peaceful atmosphere that we are still enjoying in lgbajo was as a result of your swift intervention into the matter.
“The people of lgbajo are watching and waiting anxiously for the White Paper from your office that will uphold the principle of equity, fairness and justice,” the letter read.
