The Governor of Osun State, Gov Ademola Adeleke, has come under fire from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly ignoring traditional rulers during his belated inspection visit to the war-ravaged communities of Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun.
The opposition party described the governor’s actions as disrespectful and a blatant disregard for the cultural heritage of the state.
The APC claimed that monarchs in the affected areas had gathered at their respective palaces, expecting to receive the governor, only to be left disappointed.
According to reports, Adeleke bypassed the palaces and went straight to inspect burnt houses without paying homage to the Olobu of Ilobu, the Olufon of Ifon-Osun, and the Elerin of Erin-Osun.
According to the party, it was not the first of its kind. It recalled that the governor had earlier ignored a scheduled meeting with the same monarchs, opting instead to send a junior government official, Adekunle Omoyele of the Amotekun Corps, in his place. Such treatment, according to the APC, shows a pattern of disregard for the traditional institution.
The party further accused the governor of taking too long to visit the crisis-hit areas, stating that he only made the trip after relentless pressure from opposition voices.
The destruction caused by the violence has reportedly left families mourning their loved ones and dealing with losses amounting to over N2 billion.
Hence, it was argued that Adeleke’s decision to sideline the traditional rulers undermines the role of monarchs as custodians of culture and mediators in conflict resolution.
They believe that by snubbing them, the governor missed an opportunity to strengthen peace efforts and reassure the affected communities of his commitment to their welfare.
The APC also questioned Adeleke’s political wisdom, warning that his actions could have long-term consequences. “Does the governor think he will never need the support of these monarchs and their people in the future?” the party asked, hinting at possible political repercussions.
As the controversy continues to stir reactions across the state, political analysts suggest that the governor may need to engage in damage control to mend fences with the traditional rulers and the affected communities. Whether he will acknowledge the criticism and make amends remains to be seen.
