OSUN IYALOJA GENERAL APPOINTMENT SPARKS FRESH DISPUTE BETWEEN ADELEKE, ATAOJA
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, appear set for a fresh dispute over the appointment of the Iyaloja General, the head of markets in the state.
The development followed a viral video on Saturday in which the Ataoja announced the return of Chief Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, as the Iyaloja General of Osun State.
Asindemade previously occupied the position during the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola before she was replaced by Adeleke in 2023 with Mrs Mary Oyebode.
Since then, Asindemade has largely kept her distance from the Adeleke administration and has been seen mainly at events organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, speaking in Yoruba in the viral video, Oba Oyetunji said he had directed Asindemade to support Adeleke’s re-election bid in the August 15 governorship election.
The monarch said that after Asindemade complied with his directive, he decided to restore her to the position of Iyaloja General.
The Ataoja said, “I am the only person who can appoint the Iyaloja General.
“I told her (Asindemade) to stay calm and work for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke and she did.
“Since she has done what I wanted, I have to do what she wants also. Now, I am returning her royal beads as the Iyaloja General. I want Governor Adeleke to be at peace with her.”
Reacting to the development, however, Adeleke, through a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, insisted that Oyebode remained the legally recognised Iyaloja General of Osun State.
The governor maintained that the authority to appoint the Iyaloja General rests solely with the state government.
According to the statement, “Any announcement from any other quarter including the Osogbo Royal Palace is null and void. Mrs Oyebode remains the legally appointed Iyaloja General under the authority of the state government.”
Adeleke subsequently urged market associations and women across the state to disregard any purported appointment of a new Iyaloja General, stressing that Oyebode would continue to receive the full support and recognition of the state government.
He also appealed to institutions and individuals to respect the law and their respective mandates, warning against actions capable of disrupting peace in the state.
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