Threatens dethronement
Residents of Edemosi Community in Ila Local Council of Osun State have threatened to dethrone their traditional ruler, the Edigbo of Edemosi, Oba Samuel Adeniyi Olaniyan, if he refuses to return to the palace.

But Oba Olaniyan said he fled the palace and the entire community over alleged invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The monarch said he could not stay in a palace where there is no fence and other security measures.

“There is no adequate security in the palace, no perimeter fence and I cannot leave my security to chances. I may be kidnapped.
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The monarch said that despite his absence, he had facilitated developmental projects in the community, including renovation of the community secondary school.

He said: “The community had been left behind for years. I met nothing when I became the king. I used N14.5 million to build the palace. I built apartment for teachers using my personal fund. I employed teachers in the school. I facilitated good road from Igbajo to the community, I also ensured stable electricity supply.

“I built a school and employed teachers who I paid in the last one and half years now. I facilitated road that is near completion. I bought a 500kv transformer. I have a personal house there. This is a town that was in darkness before I bought 26 poles to light it up.”

MEANWHILE, the community has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Oba Olaniyan to return to the palace and rule the people rather than ruling from another town.

It gave the ultimatum in a statement at the weekend signed by its Youth Leader, Sunday Awosina; Secretary, Dapo Awosina and Women Leader, Fotodun Dupeola.

The community leaders accused Oba Olaniyan of ruling them from another community in Ila-Orangun, which they said, was against the custom and tradition of the town.

They said since the day Oba Olaniyan was crowned as a king, he had not for a day slept in his palace, but rather chose to take refuge in Ila community using insecurity as yardstick for abandoning his royal home.

The letter bearing the seven-day ultimatum was forwarded to the office of the State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone II, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Department of State Services (DSS) and the palace chiefs.
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