Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a new selection process to occupy the stools of Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, nullifying the previous processes.
The government also proclaimed the stool of Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Akadiri, vacant, requesting that all parties wait for the outcome of a litigation on the stool that is now pending before the Court of Appeal.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, government decisions on the stools were contained in six White Papers on various committees that investigated issues raised by executive orders issued by the governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the start of the administration in November 2022.
“By the report of the White Paper, all previous steps taken concerning the installation of Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo stands nullified. And that the all-inclusive selection process(es) for a new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, respectively, should commence immediately.
“Specifically on Aree of Iree Chieftaincy, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the court to allow for the commencement of the selection process in line with due process and tradition.
“And on the stool of Owa of Igbajo, the White Paper nullified the previous selection process which produced Prince Gboyega Famodun and directed an all-inclusive selection process for a new Owa nominee.
“On the disputed Akirun stool, the White Paper directed that the parties await the outcome of the case before the Court of Appeal. And that the stool remains vacant.
“On other disputed kingship stools, the white paper further recommended compliance with the requirements of the law, as in the Alawo stool where the government accepted the committee recommendation that the government should await the outcome of the pending suit before the Supreme Court.” the statement partly reads
Governor Adeleke had revoked the nominations of all royal fathers made by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the end of his term.
He particularly instructed Aree of Iree, Oba Ademola Raphael, Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyegba Famoodun, who, before his ascension, was the former chairman of the APC in the state; and Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Akadiri, to abandon their palaces and ordered inquiries into the processes that established them as kings.
