Osun community protests over rumoured monarch’s removal

Village heads and indigenes of Osogbo, Osun, staged a peaceful protest on Thursday, asking the state government not to depose Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.

The protest took off from the residence of the leader of Osogbo Village Heads, Chief Jimoh Buraimo, and moved to Odi-Olowo before moving in a long convoy of vehicles to the Abere Government Secretariat.

Armed with placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t cause confusion and violence in Osogbo,” “The custodian of our traditional heritage is our king; we cannot allow our heritage to be destroyed,” and “Don’t cause confusion and violence in Osogbo.”

Protesters chanted, “Stop the attempt to depose Oba Jimoh Abidemi Olanipekun,” and claimed the state government was after the royal father for an unknown reason.

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Addressing journalists, the chairman of Osogbo Village Heads, Chief Buraimo, alleged clandestine moves by the government to depose Oba Olanipekun without any just cause.

He said in parts, “The attempt by the Osun State Government to take this unholy approach is against the backdrop of the existing case instituted by the members of the Oluwin Ajibilu/Oyekomi Family of Oyekomi’s Compound, Osogbo, in Suit No: HOS/115/2022: Prince Sakariyau Alabi Adebiyi & 2 Ors Vs Hrm Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (Ataoja of Osogbo). The 3rd, 4th, and 5th defendants represent the Osun State Government, and the case is still pending at the High Court of Justice, Osogbo.

Speaking in another interview, the Ajagunna of Osogbo, Chief Gabriel Oparanti, who is the head of kingmakers in the town, warned against any act that could aggravate tension and cause chaos.

Osun govt reacts

Meanwhile the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, warned against the peddling of falsehood capable of inciting people against Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Omipidan had referred in a statement to a letter written by Asipa of Osogbo, Chief Ajadi Badmus, in which the community leader urged the governor to postpone action on the plans to depose Ataoja.

He described the allegations that the governor planned to remove Ataoja as an attempt to pit the people against the governor and his government by agents of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The statement further read in part, “The author of the letter, Chief Ajadi Badmus, has unfettered access to Mr. Governor.”