The political landscape in Osun State is ablaze with controversy following the condemnation of the nullification of the selection process that resulted in Oba Adegboyega Famodun’s ascension to the esteemed position of Owa of Igbajo. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive to Oba Famodun and two other traditional rulers to vacate their palaces, describing it as an abuse of executive power.
Governor Adeleke’s issuance of an Executive Order on November 27, 2022, instructing Oba Famodun and two other traditional rulers appointed by his predecessor to step aside has sparked outrage within the state. The Osun State Government’s subsequent cancellation of the selection processes for three Osun monarchs, including the Owa of Igbajo, has further intensified the brewing controversy, with a call for the processes to be restarted.
In a scathing statement, the Osun APC, represented by Tajudeen Lawal, decried Governor Adeleke’s actions as an affront to the judiciary, citing the ongoing legal battle surrounding the selection process. The party accused the governor of trampling on the constitutional principle of the separation of powers and lambasted the nullification as a “legal absurdity” and an act of “political vindictiveness.”
Notably, Oba Famodun, prior to his elevation as the Owa of Igbajo, served as the former Chairman of the APC in the state, adding a layer of political complexity to the unfolding saga. The Ruling Houses in Iree, Boripe local government area, have also expressed their discontent with the Osun State Government’s white paper on the Aree of Iree stool, denouncing it as a flagrant disregard for the judicial process and an attempt to foment unrest in the community.
Amid the furor, Adebayo Adeleke, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, castigated the white paper as an exercise in futility, asserting that it constitutes a contempt of court and undermines the sanctity of the judiciary. The palpable discontent reverberates with allegations of double standards and a brazen disregard for due legal process.
As tensions escalate and allegiances are brought to the fore, the situation surrounding the Owa of Igbajo and Aree of Iree appointments continues to reverberate across Osun State, underscoring the deep-seated divisions and power struggles within its political and traditional spheres.
