The people of Ido Osun, Egbedore local government area of Osun State, have accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of unlawfully interfering in the traditional selection process for the Olojudo of Ido Osun.
The controversy erupted following the arrest of a prominent kingmaker, Chief Odeyemi Rasheed Oladepo, the Otun Balogun of Ido Osun, on Wednesday evening, November 20, 2024.
Information gathered within the community alleged plot by the State government to install a traditional ruler on Friday, November 22, 2024.
According to eyewitness reports and statements from local elders, Chief Oladepo, who is a key member of the seven-person kingmakers’ council responsible for selecting the new Olojudo, was detained by a team of policemen around 6:00 PM in the heart of Ido Osun town. He was subsequently taken to Alagbon prison in Lagos. His arrest has ignited public outrage in the community, raising suspicions that the state government is attempting to hijack the selection process for political reasons.
Sources from Ido Osun allege that the traditional process of choosing a new Olojudo has already been tampered with. Community leaders claim the state government dissolved the legitimate kingmakers’ committee and replaced it with a government-appointed warrant chief, effectively sidelining the traditional selection process in favor of Governor Adeleke’s interests. This, they say, is a direct violation of the laws governing the appointment of the Olojudo, which clearly stipulate that only the kingmakers, and not the state government, have the authority to make the selection.
“The process has already been infiltrated and manipulated to favor the governor’s interests. The arrest of Chief Oladepo is just the latest move to completely control the selection process.”
The Ido Osun community has reacted strongly to these actions, with local leaders demanding the immediate release of Chief Oladepo and the reinstatement of the original kingmakers to oversee the process. They also called on the state government to demonstrate transparency and fairness by publishing the list of candidates for the Olojudo stool and the criteria for selection.
“If the governor wishes to act as an impartial umpire, he must publicly disclose the list of candidates for the Olojudo stool along with the criteria for selection, allowing the people of Ido Osun to evaluate each candidate in accordance with our traditions,” said one elder.
Further allegations have surfaced that Chief Jimoh Oguntunde Kolawole, the Oluode of Ido Osun, was also targeted by the police but was fortunate to be out of town at the time of the operation.
The community is now calling for a free and fair selection process that would result in the appointment of an Olojudo who is acceptable to all residents of Ido Osun.
“We appeal to the state government to respect our traditions and allow the kingmakers to carry out their duties without interference. Only then can we have a new Olojudo who will truly represent the interests of all Ido Osun people,” the elder concluded.
The arrest and allegations of interference have raised serious questions about the integrity of the Olojudo selection process and the level of government involvement in traditional matters.
As tensions rise, the people of Ido Osun are demanding immediate action from the state government to ensure that the process remains free, fair, and in line with the community’s cultural practices.
