- says claims of deliberate avoidance false, disrespectful
By John Dike, Osogbo
Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, has dismissed reports suggesting that he deliberately avoided receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, during a planned visit to his palace.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Tejumola Abiodun, the monarch said the reports circulating on social media were false, misleading and disrespectful to the traditional institution.
The palace explained that it was notified of the proposed visit less than 24 hours before the scheduled engagement, arguing that the short notice did not conform with the protocol and courtesy required for an official visit to the Timi of Ede.
According to the palace, the monarch already had previously scheduled official engagements which could not reasonably be cancelled or altered at such short notice.
The clarification comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with major political parties and their candidates intensifying consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, religious bodies and other stakeholders across the state.
In the statement, the palace said the institution of the Timi of Ede occupies a significant position in the history and culture of Osun State and the Yoruba race and, therefore, deserves appropriate communication and adequate scheduling when official visits are being arranged.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Palace was only notified of the proposed visit less than twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled date.
“Such an extremely short notice falls far below the protocol and courtesy expected when arranging an official visit to the revered throne of Timi Agbale of Ede.
“The institution of the Timi of Ede is one of great historical significance in Osun State and the entire Yoruba race and deserves the respect of proper communication and adequate scheduling,” the statement said.
The palace further explained that before receiving the notification from the APC campaign team, the monarch had already committed himself to attending a festival at the palace of the Olojudo.
He was also scheduled to proceed to Ile-Ife to pay a condolence visit to the Ooni of Ife following the death of the monarch’s elder brother.
The palace said both engagements had been fixed well in advance, making it impracticable for the Timi to cancel them at the last minute.
It consequently rejected claims that the monarch deliberately stayed away from the APC candidate or intentionally refused to grant him an audience.
“The Palace therefore rejects, in its entirety, any insinuation that His Royal Majesty Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede, avoided the visit.
“Such narratives are not only false but also disrespectful to the institution of traditional rulership and the established protocols that govern engagements with royal fathers,” the statement added.
The palace urges members of the public, political actors and social media users to disregard what it described as inaccurate narratives concerning the matter.
It also appealed to the public to verify information from official sources before sharing or publishing reports capable of creating unnecessary tension or misunderstanding.
The monarch, the palace stressed, remains committed to maintaining cordial relationships with individuals, political parties, groups and other stakeholders irrespective of their political affiliations.
It, however, emphasised that such engagements would continue to be conducted in a manner that protects the dignity, neutrality and integrity of the traditional institution.
The clarification is coming at a politically sensitive period in Osun State, where the August 15 governorship election has intensified political engagements across the 30 local government areas.
The APC candidate, Oyebamiji, and the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, have continued their campaigns and consultations ahead of the election, while other candidates are also mobilising support across the state.
With traditional rulers occupying an influential position in community affairs, visits to royal palaces have become an important feature of the ongoing political campaigns, although traditional institutions are expected to maintain neutrality in partisan contests.
The palace maintained that the issue was purely one of timing, protocol and previously scheduled engagements.
