There is disquiet in Ipetumodu, Osun State, following agitation for the dethronement of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the town’s monarch, who is currently serving a jail term in the United States of America.
His assets were ordered forfeited. The court also ordered him to repay $4.4 million, which he illegally acquired.
The news of the Oba’s predicament has led to many indigenes of the town calling on Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to appoint someone else.
On Tuesday, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, held a meeting at the palace to pave the way forward.
It was reported that a prince demanded that Adedeji, who is the most senior kingmaker, should formally table the matter before the governor.
This suggestion did not sit well with Adedeji, and he voiced it. He frankly told the meeting he would not be part of such a plot and asked to be excused from the process. This led to loud protestations from those who opposed the kingmaker’s stance and those who supported him.
In the end, the meeting became rowdy and dispersed without any cogent resolution.
A prominent member of the Aribile Ruling House, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, said the development was disappointing.
Oba Oloyede is from the Aribile Ruling House. The other princes are insisting that the embattled Oba should be allowed to finish his term. The other alternative acceptable to them is for another prince to be enthroned from their ruling house.
The rival Fagbemokun Ruling House opposes either of the options. They argue that they are next in line once Oba Oloyede has been taken off the stool.
The Osun State government has said that it would obtain a true certified copy of the judgment convicting Oloyede before making a decision.
The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, has confirmed this position.
