Osogbo indigenes accuse Osun govt of plans to depose monarch

Oyetola denies allegation, says it is not true
Some indigenes of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, yesterday, took to the streets of the ancient town in protest against alleged plans by the state government to dethrone their traditional ruler, the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye ll.

Over 56 Osogbo traditional chiefs and 65 heads of village (Baale), who led hundreds of indigenes of the town to stage the peaceful protest, said that such rumoured dethronement by the state government was capable of disrupting the existing peace in Osogbo and Osun State in general.

Some of the protesters said that the state government was allegedly planning the dethronement because the monarch supported the state’s governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16 polls.

They said that such move was an attempt to usurp the powers and functions of the judiciary to adjudicate on the matter currently pending in the court of law, saying that it is highly prejudicial and contemptuous of the process of the court.

HOWEVER, speaking with newsmen on behalf of others, the Asipa of Osogboland, Chief Ajadi Badmus, revealed that he and Oyetola had a conversation on Wednesday evening and that the governor told him that no such plan existed.

MEANWHILE, in his reaction, the governor denied the alleged plan to depose the monarch, saying he had no issue with the traditional ruler.

Oyetola, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, described the rumour as false, saying that Ataoja is directly under the supervision of Osogbo Local Council.

He said: “To this end, I appeal to leaders of thought and clerics in Osogbo to endeavour to find out the truth, know the truth and act based on the truth.

“I also urge the people to disregard the content of this fallacious letter as it does not fit the gentleman’s personality of a governor Osun people and the nation know too well.”