Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Ruling House to Adeleke: Famodun’s installation as Owa of Igbajo dubious, illegal

BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has been urged to correct the alleged unjust and illegal installation of a former Chairman of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo.

This charge was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Loye Oke Odo Ruling House in Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state and signed by three Princes including, Taiwo Oladele, Adesina Taiwo and Olawale Akande Oladele.

The ruling house commended Adeleke for ordering that the process that produced Famodun as Owa of Igbajo to be reviewed, adding that the Executive Order directing security agencies to take charge of the palace after Famodun would have vacated it has enhanced peace and serenity in the ancient town.

According to the royal house, some forces within the immediate past government of Gboyega Oyetola manipulated and coaxed the town’s kingmakers to subvert the will of Igbajo people by carrying out what it termed, “illegal, unlawful and uncivilized selection, appointment and installation of our brother, Prince Gboyega Famodun as the Owa of lgbajoland.”

Famodun’s emergence, according to the statement is unacceptable to the sons and daughters of Igbajo and that their resolve to remain peaceful and calm in the face of the alleged imposition, was because the people of the town are peace -loving.

Despite a restraining order concerning the Owa of Igbajo chieftaincy stool, the former administration went ahead and installed Famodun, stressing that the kingmakers didn’t interview other contenders to the stool and neither was due process followed before the new king was chosen.

They said, “There had been actions and statements from the so called agba Omoowas that shows that they won’t be fair on all candidates. Chief Loye, Adewumi Taiwo told one of us that he would prefer Famodun to be King because he assisted him when he (Chief Loye) was doing his coronation/Iwuye. This shows that, abinitio, they were working towards an already known answer.

“Again, the Screening Committe shortlisted 9 Princes and were asked to pay the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each, but only seven (7) paid and later 3 names were recommended for the throne. Thereafter, no further interview or interaction with the King makers until suddenly, Famodun was crowned the Owa elect.”

The ruling house, consequently, expressed optimism that the government of Senator Adeleke would correct alleged abuse of Igbajo chieftaincy tradition and right the injustice and illegality of the immediate past administration.

According to them, “The Obaship tussle that is lingering in our beloved town, Igbajo should not be viewed as an ordinary physical contest but a serious contention in the spirit realm. The devil is the father of all liars. The devil knew that Igbajo is a beloved of God and is committed to set her free from all oppressions of the enemies.

“A press release credited to our respected Owa-in-council, the Kingmakers and our brother, Hon. Sunday Akere, is a deceit of the devil. They are being influenced by the spirit of conspiracy that has vowed to destroy the ever existing love and unity in our beloved town, Igbajo. We want to believe that it is untrue and unintentional to force Prince Gboyega Famodun, the immediate past chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Osun State on us as the Owa of Igbajo.

“They are being manipulated and coaxed by the forces in Oyetola’s Government to subvert the will of Igbajo people by the illegal, unlawful and uncivilized selection, appointment and installation of our brother, Prince Gboyega Famodun as the Owa of lgbajoland.

“In line with above, we want to admonish the sons and daughters, dwellers and well wishers of Igbajo to faithfully join us in prayer that the veil of injustice and unfairness covering the faces of some people be destroyed by the fire of the Holy Ghost in Jesus name. Amen.

“We want to believe as a ruling house that it is never late for our valued and revered elders to retrace their steps and do what is right in the sight of God and people of the community. Please, note that it is never too late to make a right. The word of God in the book of James 4:8 says ” Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

“Thank God for the swift and lawful intervention of the newly inaugurated Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke who has suspended, set aside and subjected the illegal and unlawful installation of Owa of Igbajo under review through the instrumentality of Executive Order number 5 issued on Monday 28 November, 2022

“On behalf of Loye Oke Odo ruling house, we want to register our profound gratitude and appreciation to our Governor for this applaudable step he has taken to restore the beauty of our tradition and culture as regards the enthronement of Owa in Igbajoland.

“The people of Igbajo have taken a wise and civilized decision which is generally acceptable in the world over not to stage a crisis or violence as a means of showing displeasure to any unwanted development. Igbajo is a peace loving community and we have proved it to the world over that we are one, in our disposition to the recent development.

“lt is absurd and highly embarrassing to install new Oba with the use of thugs and armed security personnel. lt is a taboo and unacceptable to our culture and tradition in Igbajo. May God forgive all the perpetrators for the good of our land.

The illegal appointment of the Owa of Igbajo by the just past Executive Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has plunged our beloved town into disharmony and mourning where people are leaving under the burden of oppression.

“With all sincerity and sense of responsibility, the process that produced Prince Famodun was dubious and not recognised by law of the land. The lwarefas did not follow due process as it is laid down in the Chieftaincy Declaration and the tradition of our forebearers.

“Recall with me that legal battle is still in progress in court with suit number HIK/10/2021 before the Justice Yinka Afolabi of state high court, Osogbo. We went to court on Monday 21 November, 2022 but court session couldn’t hold due to the emergency meeting held by the judges.

“Surprisingly and in gross violation of the law despite the restraint order, the then state government headed by Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola still went ahead to issue a press statement appointing Prince Gboyega Famodun as Owa Elect against the will of people in Igbajo.

“We are using this medium to appeal to our Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke to ensure that justice is served. As Loye Oke Odo ruling house, once again appealing to the people of Igbajo to remain calm and promote peace until the error and abuse to our tradition is corrected,” the statement read.

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