Gov. Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa of Igbajo

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday, presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the new Owa of Igbajo, Oba Kayode Makinde, charging the monarch to seek the growth and development of the town and the state at large.

In his address at the event held at the palace of Owa of Igbajo, Adeleke explained that his administration’s resolve to actualise the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the town who were dissatisfied with the attempt made by Gboyega Oyetola’s administration to force an Oba on them.

According to him, the immediate past administration did not allow a level playing field for all the seven families in the Owa Oke-Odo Ruling House as it already had an anointed candidate in mind.

“In addressing the yearning of the people of Igbajo, my administration inaugurated a committee to look into all activities of the past Administration on Chieftaincy Matters from July 17 to November 26 2022. The committee received memoranda from members of the public including from this Community.

“It came up with a recommendation that a proper and all-inclusive Selection Process should be undertaken. It suggested a new process  where all contestants will be accommodated for fair play, equity and in line with the law, Custom and Tradition of Igbajo. “

Adeleke then urged the monarch to see himself as the Father of all citizens of Igbajo at home and in the diaspora and then do everything possible to unite everyone behind him.

To the people of Igbajo, the Governor said, “the Government listened to your yearnings and actualized your aspirations. As the popular adage goes, To Whom much is given, much is also expected. The Government expects your maximum cooperation and support.

“Government expects you to live in peace and harmony with your neighbours. Government expects you to pay your taxes and levies as and when due. Government expects you to be good citizens of your Community and Local Council joining hands with the Chairman to develop Boluwaduro Local Council Development Area,” Adeleke added

The presentation was after the removal of Prince Gboyega Famodun, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, who was appointed by the immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, on November 22, 2022.

Adeleke, after adopting reports submitted by the panel that probed the matter, issued a white paper against the stools of Owa of Igbajo and Aree of Iree, declaring their stools vacant, calling for a fresh selection process to fill the throne.