By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State House of Assembly has debunked a viral claim alleging that the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, received or authorised a letter on the rotation of chairmanship among traditional rulers in the state.
The false claim, being circulated through a viral video and social media posts, alleged that the assembly had received a letter proposing a rotational chairmanship arrangement among traditional rulers, purportedly involving prominent royal fathers including the Ooni of Ife and the Ataoja of Osogbo.
Reacting to the development, the Assembly, in an official disclaimer issued on behalf of the Speaker, described the publication circulated by a pseudo Facebook page operating under the name “Ashiwaju Omo Yoruba” as false, misleading, and entirely fabricated.
According to the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Olamide Tiamiyu, no such letter was ever received, issued, or authorised by the Speaker at any time.
The statement further clarified that the alleged matter was neither presented before the Osun State House of Assembly nor discussed or contemplated by its Committee on Chieftaincy Matters.
“The claim is completely fictitious and does not reflect the legislative activities, deliberations, or official records of the Osun State House of Assembly,” the statement read.
The Assembly accused the operators of the Facebook page of deliberate mischief, noting that the publication was deliberately crafted to mislead the public, provoke unnecessary tension, and undermine the integrity and credibility of the legislative arm of government in Osun State.
Observers have noted that the allegation was particularly sensitive, given that chieftaincy and traditional institution matters are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage and identity of the people of Osun State.
The Assembly warned that the reckless spread of unverified information on such issues could stoke avoidable controversy, heighten communal tension, and threaten peaceful coexistence if not promptly addressed.
The Speaker, through the statement, strongly condemned what he described as an irresponsible attempt to exploit sensitive traditional and cultural sentiments for ulterior motives.
He reaffirmed that the Osun State House of Assembly conducts its affairs strictly in line with constitutional provisions, due process, and established legislative procedures, particularly on matters relating to traditional institutions.
“The Osun State House of Assembly will not be distracted by falsehoods or malicious narratives,” the statement added, stressing the Speaker’s unwavering commitment to transparency, truth, and the protection of the institutional integrity of the House.
The Assembly also urged residents of Osun State and the general public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information on social media, noting the growing menace of fake news, impersonation, and the deliberate spread of misinformation by unverified platforms.
Members of the public were advised to rely solely on statements released through the official and verified communication channels of the Osun State House of Assembly for authentic and credible information.
Political analysts say the swift response by the Speaker’s office underscores the Assembly’s resolve to combat misinformation and safeguard public confidence in democratic institutions.
They also emphasised the need for citizens to verify information before sharing, especially on issues bordering on governance, culture, and public order.
As Osun State continues to navigate governance and cultural administration within constitutional bounds, the Assembly reiterated its readiness to engage legitimately raised concerns through appropriate legislative channels, while firmly rejecting false narratives aimed at destabilisation.
The Speaker, the statement concluded, remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the Osun State House of Assembly continues to function as a credible, responsible, and transparent institution in service of the people of the state.
