The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, has clarified his recent remarks on the controversy surrounding the office of Iyaloja General of Osun State, saying his statement was misinterpreted and was not intended to challenge the authority of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The clarification followed the circulation of a viral video from the Ataoja’s palace, which was interpreted as the monarch reaffirming Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, as the Iyaloja General of Osun State.
The development had prompted a reaction from the Osun State Government, which reaffirmed its recognition of Mrs Mary Oyebode as the state’s Iyaloja General.
However, explaining his position, Oba Olanipekun said, “My statement was not intended to contradict the position of the state government or undermine the authority of Governor Ademola Adeleke.”
The monarch also said the interpretation attached to the viral video did not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding his remarks.
“What was seen and circulated in the video was misunderstood. My intention was not to challenge the authority of the state government, but to address a situation involving my subjects and ensure that there was no misunderstanding,” he said.
According to the Ataoja, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu, had contacted him ahead of her planned visit to Osun State in connection with activities relating to President Bola Tinubu’s second-term political campaign and requested that he host her.
Explaining the circumstances that led to his intervention, Oba Olanipekun said, “The Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Mrs Folashade Tinubu, reached out to me concerning her proposed visit to Osun State and requested that I host her. My concern was how to ensure that the visit was properly coordinated without creating any conflict among my subjects.”
The monarch said the issue involved Mrs Omolara Ilesanmi, the Iyaloja Idi-Osun, who, according to him, claimed to have been appointed as the new Iyaloja General ahead of the visit.
He also referred to Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo and former Iyaloja General during the previous administration, as another party involved in the matter.
“Mrs Omolara Ilesanmi had claimed that she had been appointed as the new Iyaloja General, while Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, who is the Iyalode of Osogbo and had previously served as Iyaloja General, was also involved in the situation. I needed to clarify the situation to avoid conflict between the two,” the Ataoja explained.
He stressed that his intervention was not intended to interfere with the authority of the state government.
“My action was not against the government of Osun State. I did not intend to undermine the governor or challenge the government’s authority. My concern was to prevent an internal disagreement among my subjects and ensure peace,” he said.
The clarification comes amid an ongoing disagreement over the leadership of market women in Osun State, following the state government’s reaffirmation of Mrs Oyebode as Iyaloja General.
While the Adeleke administration has maintained its recognition of Oyebode in the position, the Ataoja said his earlier remarks should not be interpreted as an act of defiance against the governor or the Osun State Government.
“I appeal to the public to properly understand my remarks. There is no intention to create a confrontation between the traditional institution and the government. What is important is peace, understanding and a cordial relationship between traditional institutions and the government,” Oba Olanipekun said.
The monarch added that his intervention was guided by the need to maintain peace in Osogbo and prevent the matter from escalating into a dispute among the market women under his traditional jurisdiction.