Igbomina Touch Bearers Fault Osun Information Commissioner, Disown Ila Chiefs’ Visit To Gov Adeleke

The Igbomina Touch Bearers, a socio-cultural organisation representing the interests of Igbomina people in Osun and Kwara states, has criticised a recent statement by the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, describing it as false, misleading and capable of creating unnecessary tension in Ila-Orangun.

The group also distanced the traditional institution of the Orangun of Ila from a recent visit by some Ila-Orangun chiefs to Governor Ademola Adeleke, alleging that the delegation acted in their personal and political interests rather than on behalf of the Orangun-in-Council.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Secretary, Olamide Ajiboye, the organisation cautioned government officials against making comments or taking actions capable of undermining the revered status of the Orangun stool.

Ajiboye maintained that the chiefs who met with Governor Adeleke did not represent the Orangun-in-Council but attended the meeting as individuals pursuing personal political agendas.

He further alleged that members of the delegation are openly affiliated with political parties and therefore lacked the moral authority to speak on behalf of the people or the traditional institution of Ila-Orangun.

According to the group, the Obaaro of Ila, who led the delegation, is a known supporter of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and a card-carrying member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The organisation argued that the other chiefs who accompanied him also attended the meeting in their individual capacities and should not be portrayed as representing either the Orangun traditional institution or the wider Ila-Orangun community.

The group recalled that the same set of chiefs had previously criticised the political defection of Senator Olabiyi Fadeyi, an action it claimed attracted condemnation from the larger council of chiefs.

It alleged that the chiefs were reprimanded at the time for acting beyond the scope of their authority and for making public statements without the approval of the appropriate traditional council.

Expressing disappointment over what it described as another unwarranted attack on Senator Fadeyi, the organisation questioned the motive behind the repeated criticisms, asking whether “defaming an Igbomina son is all that can fetch them money from the Governor.”

Ajiboye insisted that, contrary to the impression allegedly created by the chiefs, many sons and daughters of Igbomina land remain supportive of Senator Fadeyi, citing what he described as the senator’s developmental initiatives and efforts in attracting Federal Government projects to Osun State.

According to the statement, Senator Fadeyi continues to enjoy widespread goodwill across Igbomina communities because of his representation and contributions to the development of the area.

The group also criticised Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi, urging him to exercise greater caution in issuing official statements on sensitive matters.

It argued that the commissioner’s public comments had been hasty and had unnecessarily exposed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to avoidable controversies.

The organisation consequently advised Alimi to refrain from issuing what it described as premature statements that “ceaselessly cause his boss embarrassment.”

Reaffirming its commitment to the preservation of the integrity of the Orangun traditional institution, the Igbomina Touch Bearers called on political actors and government officials to avoid actions capable of politicising revered traditional institutions or creating division within the Igbomina community.