Osun Community Battles Council Chair Over Alleged Plan To Impose Oba

Iwoye community of Oriade local government of Osun State is currently at loggerheads with the council chairman, Hon. Bunmi Obeisun for allegedly planning to impose an indigene of the community on them as king.

The community said the planned installation of a new Oniwoye of Iwoye by the council chairman, with the alleged connivance with the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Wole Oke was  without the approval of the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The concerned members of the community said, “Oke, in a bid to establish his influence in Oriade, is encouraging the local government Chairman to disobey the Governor just because he want to take control of Ward 4 in Oriade local government simply because of the population of the ward and the fact that, the people of this ward are highly politically inclined.”

Though he has not been officially presented with staff of office, it was learnt that Obeisun recently formalized the appointment by ‘raising the hands of Prince Adewunmi Ogidiolu as the new Oba’ at a ‘special event’.

According to some concerned stakeholders in the town, the selection of Ogidiolu “undermines the tradition of the Iwoye people, guidelines set aside for whoever is to ascend to the throne, processes incorporated at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the suggestion of His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the issue.”

According to the petitioners, the gazette of the State of Osun, states that whoever will be the King of Iwoye must be 40 years old or above, hold a first degree from any University,  maintain a reliable source of income amongst other requirements as stipulated in the gazette.”

They added that “It is, however, disheartening to note that, Prince Adewunmi Ogidiolu does not possess any of the above stated requirements for him to be King. He is a 35 years old holder of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). Then, one may be quick to ask that, why then, was he made a King. The reason is not far to seek.”