Osun Communal Clash: Residents Accuse Traditional Ruler Of Masterminding Attack, Call For His Arrest, Prosecution

People of Araromi-Owu in Ayedaade Local Government of Osun State have called for the arrest and prosecution of the Olowu of Orile-Owu, Oba who he accused of masterminding the attack on Araromi-Owu.

The chiefs of Araromi-Owu at a press conference in Osogbo, yesterday, maintained that Oba Olukayode Oremakinde is the recognised monarch in the town as opposed to Alhaji Sikirulahi Oyeyemi who was installed by the Olowu of Orile-Owu, Oba Dauda Akinfalabi.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, Chief Ganiyu Opawuyi, called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to urgently set up a judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident that led to the killing of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and one other over a monarchy tussle in the town last week Tuesday.

He said, “The newly installed Olu of Araromi-Owu, in Ayedaade Local Government of Osun State, HRH Oba (Dr.) Olukayode Adeyemi Oremakinde, was last Tuesday attacked while lives and properties in his domain, were destroyed by hoodlums sponsored by the Olowu of Orile-Owu; Oba Dauda Ajolola Akinfalabi and thugs hired by one Mr Sikiru Adebayo Oyege, that led to the death of one NSCDC Officer and another person while many residents sustained varying degrees of injury,” Opawuyi said.

He noted that the grandfather of Oremakinde who hailed from Ibadan in Oyo state, founded Araromi-Owu, hence the reason he was unanimously selected and installed by hundreds of residents, Chiefs and Kingmakers, as the next traditional ruler of the town, in line with the government gazetted procedure.”It is noteworthy that Alhaji Sikiru Oyege is a chief of Orile-Owu and not Araromi Owu. He was never conferred a title of any kind by the kingmakers or people of Araromi Owu at anytime.

“He is not known as a chief of Araromi-Owu or part of any ruling house in Araromi. He is simply regarded as an alien and a stranger living in Araromi, who has been treated well by the people of Araromi, who are known for their hospitality till date,” Opawuyi said.

He maintained that the claim by Oba Akinfalabi that his signature was forged has been settled by the office of AIG because the star suspect who was the late Olu of Araromi has died.

The new story and allegations that the late Oba Nathaniel Oyetunji forged the signature of Oba of Orile-Owu, the Oluwu as part of the process of approval, is a blatant lie, which has been investigated by the police and according to the AIG of Zone 11, the case has been closed,” Opawuyi said.

But, Olowu of Orile-Owu, Oba Akinfalabi explained that the land was given to the forefathers of the present inhabitants for farming, hence the reason they have been paying tributary to Orile-Owu till today.

Oba Akinfalabi insisted that Oyeyemi has been installed in line with the tradition and 2005 chieftaincy declaration, stressing that nothing can change the decision.