Aree Stool: Indigenes, Deposed Monarch Disagree On Legality Of Osun Govt’s White Paper

Indigenes and elders of Iree, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State are at loggerheads over the legality of the white paper released by the Osun State Government on the status of Prince Ademola Raphel Oluponle, the deposed monarch of the town.

Addressing separate press conferences in the town on Monday, elders of the town, kingmakers and members of the Iree Progressive Association (IPA) backed the decision of the state government while the wing in support of Prince Oluponle, expressed discontent with the directives of the government communication, stressing that it is politically motivated.

Speaking at the pro-white paper resolution conference, Iree indigenes including the kingmakers, royal families and other stakeholders led by the Asiwaju of Iree, Adenrele Afolabi said the people of the town are fully behind the decision of the authorities for a fresh selection process to the Aree stool.

He added that the move not only rectified the injustice done in the past but also ensured that the correct protocols are followed in the selection of a new natural ruler, thanking Governor Ademola Adeleke for his bold move.

According to him, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke for taking a decisive action to correct the mistake of the past regarding the Obaship tussle in Iree. By giving power back to the kingmakers to perform their traditional duties, the governor has shown dedication to upholding the customs and traditions of the people of Iree.

“Such a bold move not only rectifies the injustice done in the past, but also ensures that the correct protocols are followed in the selection of a new ruler. It is essential for the kingmakers to exercise their role with utmost diligence, fairness, and transparency. Their responsibility to uphold the traditions and values of the community must be carried out in a manner that respects the aspirations of the people.

“I implore the kingmakers to take this opportunity to do the needful in the right way. Let justice and wisdom guide your decisions as you choose the rightful successor to the throne, Your actions will not only impact the present, but also shape the future of Iree. May your choices unite the community and foster progress, prosperity, and harmony for all its residents,” he said.

However, the immediate-past Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Osun and a prince of the town, Prince Adebayo Adeleke who was flanked by Prince Raphel Oluponle at another news conference said the purported meeting does not represent the interest of the people but a sponsored one to discredit a lawful process.

He further said the other royal families never contested the emergence of Oba Oluponnle in a law court when he was installed but are now hiding under the guise of Governor Adeleke’s declaration to cause a crisis in the town.

He described the conveners of the meeting as marauders who do not want the progress of the town.

He said, “The meeting held at Iree town hall does not represent the interest of Iree indigenes. At the meeting, you will hear somebody saying PDP, they’ll say Imole, obviously that meeting is the meeting of the PDP members in our town including the IPA president Oluwole Taiwo. The people that attended the meeting do not live in Iree. They are people that live elsewhere but want to impose a money bag on the people of Iree. That meeting is condemned in totality. It lacks merit. Those that were there did not speak on behalf of Iree because they are all PDP members.The meeting is political.

“We here are not playing politics, the Iwara Mefa that were in charge of the selection process may be there but they are even regretting their actions of abandoning their duty for selfish interest; that action of saying no, we are not going to do selection until we have Adeleke as the governor of the state, that was their reason. The use of warrant Chiefs to select kings is not peculiar to Iree; it is a lawful thing especially when those who are supposed to do the selection are dead or when they abdicate or abandon their duties. It happened in Ifon and several other places even when a PDP was the governor of the state.

“We are telling the whole world now what is happening in Iree. Anybody who is against the selection of Oba Oluponnle is doing it for his political interest because the IPA chairman has earned another title. I will give him the new chairman of PDP in Boripe Local Government,” he said.

In his reaction, Prince Rapheal Oluponnle urged other contestants to exercise caution and not allow politicians disrupt the peace of the town.