Aggrieved ruling houses in Igbajo town, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State have protested the continuous occupation of the Owa of Igbajo palace by Oba Adegboyega Famodun.
The ruling houses, who protested peacefully around the town on Wednesday, stated that despite an order from the State government that every intending contender to the Owa stool should keep off the palace pending the outcome of a review committee, Famodun still claimed to be the next Owa of Igbajo land.
The ruling houses, including the Loye Oke Odo, Aworoosun, Nigemo, Omokan and Baba Owa, all of the Owa Oke Ode maintained that their protest was against the continued occupation of the throne as against the directive from the State government.
Governor Ademola Adeleke upon inauguration on November 27, 2022 issued several Executive Orders, part of which was the directive for the palaces of the Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo to be vacated pending the review committee recommendation.
Adeleke also directed that security agencies should occupy the palaces forthwith to prevent any violence and breakdown of law and order in the towns.
The protesters, who were armed with placards with different inscriptions, also claimed that the incumbent monarch was imposed on the town by Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State.
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They added that Famodun’s continued stay in the palace was negatively affecting the peace and progress of the town.
According to them, “Governor Adeleke had signed Executive Order among which is the nullification of all traditional rulers installed from July 17 to date and specifically ordered that the new monarchs of Igbajo, Iree and Ikirun communities should vacate their palaces pending the determination of their status by government after the submission of the report of a Panel of Enquiry on Chieftaincy Matters that would review their installation.”
Adegboyega Famodun, a former Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and prince of Igbajo was installed as Owa on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
The installation process of Famodun as Owa commenced after the Adegboyega Oyetola State executive council approved his appointment to the throne.
