How Osun Residents Received White Paper On Chieftaincy Affairs

By Segun Ojo

Almost twenty-four hours after the Osun State Government released white paper on chieftaincy affairs, the atmosphere in the affected towns are peaceful and calm, this according to some residents signalling the general acceptance of the people to the government position to kingship tussles.

A visit to the towns by our correspondent showed people going about the lawful business activities except for few sights of people gathered at some places to discuss the implication of the white paper.

At Ikirun market, one of our correspondents spoke to people who confessed their support for the government position as contained in the white paper as a way to maintain the sanctity of the traditional institution and ensure lasting peace in the town, applauding Governor Ademola Adeleke of taking the courage to right the wrongs of the past administration.

Mr. Jimoh Babatunde who teaches in one of the private schools in Ikirun, said the white paper addressed a lot of the issues that triggered crisis under the last administration, saying the Governor has lived up to the expectations of the people of Ikirun by taking a hard stance against illegality.

“What happened in the past was a huge blow to tradition and norms, and this was why the people of Ikirun resisted the attempt to impose a king on them. We are happy now for what Governor Ademola Adeleke has done on this by insisting that traditions and due process must be the guiding principle in deciding who ascend the throne,” Mr. Babatunde noted.

He lauded Governor Adeleke for “not towing the path of his predecessor in attempting to impose a king on Ikirun”, charging kingmakers and relevant stakeholders to be thorough and transparent in the new process for the Akirun to emerge.

“It is refreshing to note that the Governor (Adeleke) have no desire like the former governor to impose on us (Ikirun) except for the laid down process and traditions to be followed to the letters and make the process transparent and fair so that whoever emerges will be acceptable to all.”

In Iree, the experience is not any different as strategic locations in the town were bustling with activities. Some residents who spoke to our correspondent commended Governor Adeleke for saving the town from a crisis that would impact the future, accusing the last administration of manipulating the selection process for kingship.

One of the chiefs who described the white paper as a big relief to the people of Iree who are disgust by the crude injustice that nullified process represented, feared that the traditional institution of the town would have suffered great disrepute if not for the intervention of Governor Adeleke.

“This is a very good one from our Governor (Adeleke) and we appreciate him sincerely. Because if he had not shown courage and stick with the faulty things that the former governor did, we will be left to battle the consequences of the error in the future,” Chief Misikilu who spoke in Yoruba noted, adding that “Look at the impunity of appointing Warrant Kingmakers when there are kingmakers just to impose a king on us (Iree people).”

At Igbajo, our correspondent observe that people in the town welcome the resolution of the white paper on occupant of the stool. At about three junctions visited by our correspondent, people can be seen discussing the implication of the white paper, with most agreeing with the government position that a fresh process to pick the Owa of Igbajo be conducted.

A resident who simply identified himself as Tosin, said what Governor Adeleke did with the white paper report was to ensure that things are done rightly, calling on politicians to respect the procedures laws and laid down rules, particularly on matters of the traditional institution.

Although, Tosin said he does not have anything against Prince Adegboyega Famodun from becoming the Owa of Igbajo, but can never agree with the process that threw him up under the past administration, which shut out other eligible contestants from participation.

“Tosin, recent graduate from one of the country’s federal institution said: “I think it is time for politicians to understand the limit of things and not totally destroy whatever is left of the traditional institution. Shutting others out just for Prince Famodun to emerge can never be an acceptable process, and explains why he was not accepted by the people,” he noted.

“He was crowned and even received staff of office inside Government Secretariat in Osogbo to tell you how much he realizes the low acceptance he has with the people. And he has been staying in Osogbo, sneaking in and out of Igbajo like a stranger. That is very bad and I hope that the fresh process can be free and fair for all.”

Meanwhile, Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC has condemned the nullification of the selection process that produced Oba Adegboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajoland by Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing it as vindictive, frivolous, and an abuse of the governorship power.

The Osun State chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, on Friday asked Adeleke if he was not aware that the aggrieved Igbajo princes who contested and lost in the contest filed a suit in the Osun State High Court and that the governor himself is a defendant in the suit to which he has filed processes to challenge the competence of the suit?