The people of Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government of Osun State, on Monday, alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke nullified the process that led to the installation of Oba Adegboyega Famodun, as Owa of Igbajo because of the political difference.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemo, Secretary to the Owa Oke-ode ruling house, stated that the government was fighting the monarch because he was the immediate-past state Chairman of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun.
Flanked by High Chiefs Adewumi Taiwo, Babaloye Akeran, Emmanuel Oladejo, the Odofin of Igbajoland, Owa-in-council, and some kingmakers, Adeyemo explained that some aggrieved chiefs had approached the court to challenge the emergence of Oba Famodun and the state government who is a respondent in the suit had filed a preliminary objection before the court.
“We wish to remind Governor Adeleke that his government order as contained in the recently published White Paper for the re-selection process of a new Oba is against the tradition and custom of Igbajo when the princes from Omo Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House and the kingmakers had selected Oba Phillips Adegboyega Famodun as the authentic Owa of Igbajo on November 22nd, 2022.
“We are making it explicitly clear that the tradition of installing the Owa of Igbajo cannot be reversed because the traditional rites cannot be performed twice in an Oba lifetime.
“The re-selection order of Governor Adeleke for another Owa of Igbajo is oppressive, vindictive and vendetta-laden and against the rule of law. Moreso, when all the aggrieved princes are already challenging the emergence of Oba Phillips Adegboyega Famodun in the competent court of law via suit No. HIK/1/2023 in Prince Olaniyi Akande and others including Prince Ademola Makinde, Prince Awodola Tunde, and Prince Esan Sunday Vs. The Executive Governor of Osun State and ors.
“We want to state clearly that the governor is the defendant in this case and that the government of Osun has filed a preliminary objection to strike out the case in favor of Oba Famodun.
“We have looked around to know what the offense could be allegedly committed by Oba Phillips Adegboyega Famodun against the present custodian of the government of Osun State and we convincingly concluded that it was his being the immediate-past state Chairman of the opposition All Progressives Congress APC in Osun,” Adeyemo said.