Famodun, Akadiri, Ademola Evicted From Palace
•As Govt Nullifies Aree, Owa of Igbajo Selection Processes
•Declares Akinrun Stool Vacant
THE Osun State Government has nullified the selection processes that produced the embattled Aree of Iree, Prince Ademola Raphel Oluponle and the Owa of Igbajo, Prince Gboyega Famodun.
This is just as the government declared the Akirun stool vacant, directing that all the parties involved in the selection of a new Akirun should wait for the outcome of the case before the Court of Appeal.
The decision of the state government was contained in a white paper adopted by the State Executive Council on the recommendation of the Committees on Chieftaincy Matters set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke to review all the appointments made by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola from July 17, 2022.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barr. Kolapo Alimi, fresh selection processes should commence immediately for the emergence of a new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo respectively.
Alimi, in a release made available to newsmen yesterday, said, the white paper overwhelmingly priotised compliance with legal requirements as a basis for final decisions.
The release reads in part: “On the report on the chieftaincy matters chaired by Honourable Bunmi Jenyo, the white paper overwhelmingly priotised compliance with legal requirements as a basis for final decisions.
“By the report of the White Paper, all previous steps taken in relation to the installation of Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo stands nullified. And that all-inclusive selection process (es) for a new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, respectively, should commence immediately.
“Specifically on Aree of Iree Chieftaincy, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the Court so as to allow for commencement of the selection process denovo in line with due process and tradition.
“And on the stool of Owa of Igbajo, the White Paper nullified the previous selection process which produced Prince Gboyega Famodun and directed an all-inclusive selection process for a new Owa nominee.
“On the disputed Akirun stool, the White Paper directed that the parties await the outcome of the case before the Court of Appeal. And that the stool remains vacant.
“On other disputed kingship stools, the white paper further recommended compliance with the requirements of the law as in the Alawo stool where the government accepted the committee recommendation that the government should await the outcome of the pending suit before the Supreme Court.”
OSUN DEFENDER had in its April 28, 2023 edition exclusively reported that the Chieftaincy Review Committed had recommended nullification of the processes that led to the appointment and installation of Prince Yinusa Olalekan Akadiri as the Akinrun of Ikirun and Prince Oluponle Ademola as the Aree of Iree.
However, it took the state government a year to release white paper on the report of the committee.
The committee had on January 3, 2023 submitted its report to Adeleke.
Adeleke had earlier on November 28, 2022 issued an Executive Order directing the security agents to take over the palaces of Owa of Igbajo, Aree of Iree and Akinrun of Ikirun.
The Executive Order birthed the review of all appointments of traditional rulers made by the Oyetola’s administration after July 17, 2022.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that there were jubilations in Iree, Igbajo and Ikirun, following the release of the white paper and the announcement of the nullification of the selections processes of the Aree and Owa of Igbajo stools, and the declaration of Akinrun stool vacant yesterday.
Ismaeel Uthman is an Editor, Media Consultant with over 14 years experience in print journalism.
A consummate writer and reporter, Uthman has received accolades for his works, especially one that appeals for good governance and community development. He is a recipient of many laurels, including the Best Investigative Reporter (Print) Award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, in 2020.
