The Baales, Chiefs and residents of Osogbo land have rejected the rumoured plan to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun by the State government.
The Baales and Chiefs who gathered at the residence of one of them, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh on Thursday warned the State government under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola not to embark on such moves.
Speaking with newsmen on behalf of others, Chief Ajadi Badmus revealed that he and Governor Oyetola had a conversation yesterday evening (Wednesday) and the Governor told him that no such plan exist.
He said, “we have been inundated with rumour that the State government is planning to depose Ataoja of Osogbo and we have reacted appropriately. I personally authored a letter that is flying on social media.
“Yesterday night around 11pm, the Governor called me and informed me that no such plan exist. So I’m here to brief our people of the conversation I had with the Governor.”
Badmus added that the people of the community had earlier planned to hold a street protest before but with the development, they would only move in vehicles to the State Government Secretariat in Abeere to register their grievance.
Speaking with newsmen at the Palace of Ataoja, the Osogbo kingmakers also said rejected the move to dethrone the monarch.
Chief Gabriel Ojo Opaniran, the Ajagun of Osogbo, who spoke on behalf of other kingmakers, said “Oba Olanipekun is the 16th Ataoja of Osogbo and it has never been in our history that Ataoja was removed. So we won’t allow that to happen.”
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InsightMedia also reported that the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan had in a statement earlier on Thursday denied plans to remove the monarch.
Omipidan, who described the rumour as falsehoods, said the Ataoja is directly under the supervision of Osogbo local government.
“Ordinarily, the Ataoja is directly under the supervision of the Osogbo Local Government. Therefore, the governor has no business per se with his office. Besides, the governor has no issues with Ataoja.
“To this end, I appeal to leaders of thought and clerics in Osogbo to endeavor to find out the truth, know the truth and act based on the truth.
“I also urge the people to disregard the content of this fallacious letter as it does not fit the gentleman’s personality of a governor Osun people and the nation know too well,” Omipidan said.
