By Editor
Kingmakers and traditional chiefs in Igbajo, Boluwaduro local government area of Osun state have appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke not to set the community in crisis over the dethronement of the monarch, Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyega Famodun.
The new administration had in a statement declared the stool, including that of Akirun of Ikirun and Aree of Iree unoccupied pending the outcome of a panel of inquiry, directing security operatives to take over the palaces.
The however, the kingmakers under the aegis of Owa-in-Council, in a statement signed by the five kingmakers urged the governor not be pushed into messy politics, saying the selection and installation of the monarch strictly followed due process.
The kingmakers that signed the statement include; Chief Michael Olatunde Ajibodu, Obala Iloro of Igbajo, Chief Akalo Emmanuel Oladejo, Odofin Iloro of Igbajo, Chief Joseph Sobalaje Fasiku, Lemikan of Igbajo, Chief Clement Ojo Fasoro, Odofin Igbajo of Igbajo and Chief Bode Adeniyi, Saloro of Igbajo.
"As kingmakers, we affirmed that the process that produced the king followed all laid down guidelines in the Owa of Igbajo Chieftaincy Declaration. The declaration that have been in use in the town recognize two lineage Viz Omo Owa Oke (with nine ruling houses) and Omo Owa Isale (with seven ruling houses). What the Chieftaincy Declaration stipulate is that if the throne becomes vacant, it will be either the turn of Owa Oke or Owa Isale to fill the vacancy without specifying any order of rotation among the ruling houses.
"The Last Owa, Late Oba Engr. Olufemi Fasade who joined his ancestors on the 23rd of December, 2020 was from the Owa Isale side while it was only ruling houses from Owa Oke that were asked to bring forth Omo Oye before we picked the frontliner amongst them.
"Please note that there was nowhere in the the declaration that states that it is this or that ruling house that must be favoured but rather all the interested Princes were given a level playing ground before the emergence of one.
"And on the claim that the former Governor Alh. Gboyega Oyetola appointed the king in his last week in office, this is not the first time such will happen because he has the power and authority to take decisions till his last day in office. An example is the appointment of Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Oyedotun, Bibire 1 at the twilight of the administration of Gov. Adebisi Akande. The then outgoing Governor approved the selection of Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Oyedotun, Bibire 1 four (4) days to the expiration of his tenure ( he was appointed on the 24th of May, 2003 while the administration left office on 29th of May, 2003). His successor Gov. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola did not because of that annul the appointment.
"On the announcement of the appointment or selection of Oba Adegboyega Famodun, Famodun III, nobody can say that a fly was hurt in Igbajo. We all accepted his choice because we know it is only God that chooses kings. The presentation of the Staff of Office followed three days after completion of traditional rites and Ipebi program. Visitors to Igbajo on Thursday 24th of November, 2022 will clearly see the joy and happiness radiating within the town and its people; it was unprecedented.
"Our appeal to the Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke is that he should not allow anyone to drag him into messy politics as the selection of our own Oba Adegboyega Famodun, Famodun III followed all laid down procedures.
"Igbajo the Citadel of the Brave is known for peaceful coexistence and communal cooperation in the running of the affairs of the town. We built our first secondary school in 1951 through communal efforts and this also gingered us to having the first Community Polytechnic in Nigeria ( Igbajo Polytechnic). The government should not lump us with anyone else in decisions of such as there is peace in our town and villages".
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