Group urges Ataoja to remain neutral ahead of Osun governorship poll

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

A socio-political group, Oroki United Front, has urged the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, to stay away from partisan politics and remain a father to all ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The call followed what the group described as a directive by the monarch for the Olurokis to hold a meeting with the Accord Party Campaign Council at the Ataoja’s Palace. According to the group, the meeting is scheduled to discuss the “existing understanding between the Accord Party and Osogboland and any other relevant matters”.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Abass Jayeola, on Friday, the group said the palace should remain a home for everyone, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, where issues concerning the town’s growth, development and well-being are discussed, rather than serving as a venue for partisan political meetings.

Jayeola said the group wanted the Ataoja to remain above partisan politics like other traditional rulers in the state, including the Ooni of Ife, the Orangun of Ila, the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, adding that the Ataoja’s stool should not be reduced to that of a political party’s senatorial leader.

“As indigenes of Osogbo who care about its growth and development, it is our wish that the Ataoja stays off politics and remains a father to all. We do not want to see the stool of the Ataoja reduced to that of a political party’s senatorial leader. Unfortunately, as in 2022, the Ataoja has once again embraced politics,” they said.

The group also referred to the monarch’s previous claim of an alleged assassination attempt, which it said was later disproved by the police, describing the incident as a setback for both the royal father and the Ataoja’s stool. It urged the monarch to emulate traditional rulers who have maintained political neutrality while receiving politicians across party lines.

Jayeola further said the scheduled meeting with the Ataoja-in-Council should instead be used to seek explanations from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration over what he described as unfulfilled promises made ahead of the 2022 governorship election.

The group urged Baales, heads of compounds, youth leaders and town forum representatives expected at the meeting to remain apolitical and question politicians on issues affecting Osogbo. It also called on the Ataoja to use the gathering to demand greater infrastructural development for Osogbo rather than pursuing personal interests.