Fresh tension has pervaded the ancient city of Igbajo township as some stakeholders in the town under the aegis of Igbajo For Equity and Justice (IFEJ) has raised an alarm that Osun State Government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been under pressure to reinstate Prince Adegboyega Famodun as Owa of Igbajo through the backdoor by jettisoning the much awaited white paper on the subject matter.
This is just as Igbajo group (IFEJ) strongly condemned the action of those behind the illegal plan of reinstating the Prince Famodun through the backdoor against the Executive Order 5, promulgated by Governor Adeleke administration.
This is contained in a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the group, Comrade Wole Alabi, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The statement noted among others that: “The worrisome suspicion that the present administration of Adeleke Dynasty in Osun state might be playing to the gallery by appealing to sentiments and allow the impositor in Igbajo to sit on an undeserving stool would be a monumental tragedy in the chequered history of Osun State”
“Sustainability of such fallacy by the current administration under any guise would be an unpardonable sin that could also throw the town into crisis which end no one could predict”
“It’s therefore imperative for Governor Ademola Adeleke to summon the political will and toe the path of equity, justice and fairness and allow peace to reign in the ancient town”
“IFEJ noted that, Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola had bastardized the traditional institution in Osun State before leaving office on November 27th, 2022 by ensuring that only All Progressives Congress (APC) members were appointed into the traditional offices, even, with disregard to the Court Order on such appointment by resulting to self help”
“We heard it on good authority that Prince Adegboyega Famodun has been postrating for a senior member of the Adeleke family to make Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke lift the suspension placed through the Executive Order 5 on the appointment and also release some secret information on the plan of Gboyega Oyetola and State Chapter of the APC against Ademola Adeleke administration”
“The statement maintained that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola appointed Famodun who was the then State Chairman of APC as traditional ruler as part of parting gift to Famodun”
“The statement noted that the last administration that gave Jankara crown to Famodun in the twilight of that inglorious government knew it wasn’t his ruling house turn, but only turned Igbajo stool to a political compensation because he was the state chairman of the APC without regards for other 8 ruling houses when it was his BIOLOGICAL Father that ruled last in Owa Oke Ode section (1957 – 1988).
“It was learnt that Famodun has been on the neck of a senior member of the Adeleke family to mount pressure on Governor Ademola Adeleke to jettison whatever might be the outcome of the Chieftaincy Panel led by Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, to probe the rationale behind the illegal appointments of All Progressives Congress (APC) members as Obas in the State”
“It was further learnt that Famodun had promised Senior Adeleke that he would be the patronage of Adeleke’s administration and ready to accept any option being given to him (Famodun) by becoming the member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
IFEJ, urged Governor Adeleke not to listen to the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Famodun appologists on the subject matter by not resciding decision of the State Government until the report of the Chieftaincy Panel was made public and the white paper is gazetted.
It stressed that after the Executive Order of Governor Adeleke was promulgated to stop all illegal appointments of Former Governor Oyetola, Prince Famodun in defiance to State Government Order, as he was still parading himself as monarch until the good people of Igbajo staged peaceful protest at State Government Secretariat recently .
IFEJ added that all the appointments made by Oyetola after he had lost return Governorship Election of July 16, 2022, including; appointment of Famodun as Owa of Igbajo did not follow due process of law and repugnant to good conscience and natural justice.
Speaking on the alleged politicization of the traditional ruler appointment raised against Governor Ademola Adeleke by the APC Civil Society Organization(CSO), the group (IFEJ) defended Governor Adeleke of not politicizing the traditional institution in the State.
But, Governor Adeleke in his wisdom, was trying to right all the wrongs and misdeeds of Oyetola’s Government in respect of appointing traditional rulers at the twilight of his (Oyetola) administration in the state.
The group now pleaded with the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke to please without further delay release the long awaited white paper in respect of the Chieftaincy crisis that affected Igbajo, Iree and Ikirun for lasting peace and progress to return to these communities, the release added.
