Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is plotting to remove the Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyega Famodun because the royal father was the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, according to the town’s ruling houses.
At a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, the Owa Oke Ode Ruling Houses of Igbajo, in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State, accused the governor of political vendetta.
Specifically, the representatives of the ruling houses, traditional chiefs, and village heads at the Press conference addressed by High Chief Adewumi Taiwo, Babaloye Akeran of Igbajo land and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemo, Secretary to the Ruling House held at NUJ press Centre, Osogbo advised the governor to stop being allegedly vindictive against their monarch as the matter is already at the Federal High Court, Ikirun Division.
They said: “We convincingly concluded that it was because Oba Famodun was the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state that made Adeleke plan to remove him and install a PDP Oba.”
However, they warned the governor against nullifying the installation of Oba Gboyega Famodun, who they said was unanimously selected by all the ruling houses and kingmakers and affirmed by the oracles and gods of the town.
According to the aggrieved, any attempt to remove the monarch would backfire because the gods had accepted the choice of Oba Famodun.
They insisted that, since a king was still alive, no one dared install another because two kings could never live in a palace.
They said: “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 Philip Adegboyaga Famodun as the authentic Owa of Igbajo on November 22, 2022.
“It is abundantly clear that to Governor Adeleke and the whole world that all due process was followed in accordance with the Chieftaincy Law of the land for the selection starting from the Ruling houses to the kingmakers to the Local Government before the king was announced.”
According to High Chief Taiwo, the two Ruling houses in Igbajo community of Omo Owa Oke-Ode Ruling houses all endorsed the selection of Oba Famodun having filled all the traditional rites. He said that there would not be any further selection of any monarch in their town.
His words: “Since Oba Famodun became the king of the community, the town has been witnessing peace and tranquility and as such, we beg Governor Adeleke to leave our king alone.
“We convincingly concluded that it was because Oba Famodun was the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state that made Adeleke plan to remove him and install a PDP Oba .
“We reiterate that Oba Philip Famodun remains the duly selected , lawfully appointed, and installed occupant of Owa of Igbajo throne”.
Governor Adeleke had on November 26 issued an Executive Order suspending Oba Famodun and other monarchs because the process that led to their emergence was marred with irregularities.
He later inaugurated an investigation committee saddled with the duties of investigating the process that led to their emergence.
The committee through the white paper released recently recommended that Oba Famodun and other affected monarchs be sacked and called for a fresh process.
