By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Francis Ezediuno
Published on 2024-01-19 11:03:31
The nullification of the selection process that resulted in the appointment of Oba Adegboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo by Governor Ademola Adeleke has been strongly condemned by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. In a statement issued by Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC described the government’s actions as an abuse of the governor’s executive power.
Governor Adeleke issued an Executive Order on November 27, 2022, directing the Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Famodun, and two other traditional rulers appointed by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola to step aside from their palaces. The Osun State Government also cancelled the selection process that produced three Osun monarchs, the Aree of Iree, Akirun of Ikinrun, and Owa of Igbajo, and directed that the selection processes be restarted.
The APC criticized Governor Adeleke’s intervention, calling it a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a blatant disregard for the separation of powers among the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. The party accused Adeleke of hounding, humiliating, and denying Oba Famodun his rights and labeled the nullification of the selection process as an aberration and legal absurdity.
Famodun, the former Chairman of the APC in the state, was appointed as the Owa of Igbajo before his selection. Additionally, the ruling houses in Iree, Boripe local government area of the state, have also expressed their disapproval of the recent white paper on Aree of Iree stool. They urged the people of the town to remain calm in the face of alleged provocation and insisted that the white paper cannot stand the test of time in the face of the law.
Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke, also condemned the white paper, labeling it as an effort in futility and alleging that Governor Ademola Adeleke only validated his ignorance of the law with respect to the kingship process.
In summary, the Osun APC strongly criticized Governor Adeleke’s actions and the state government’s white paper, while the ruling houses in Iree expressed their disapproval of the recent developments. Furthermore, Adeleke’s intervention in the selection process was condemned for violating the separation of powers and the rights of Oba Famodun.
