Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Wednesday, presented Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the new traditional ruler of Igbajo land (Owa of Igbajo),  Ademola Makinde.

Oba Gboyega Famodun, the former Osun chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was installed as the Owa of Igbajo by former Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola,  was removed in 2022.

During the presentation, Mr Adeleke said the event demonstrated his administration’s resolve to actualise the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state.

“Before we came on board on Nov. 27 2022, majority of the inhabitants of this historic community expressed their dissatisfaction with the attempt made by the immediate past administration to force an Oba on Igbajo.

“The subsisting chieftaincy declaration which governs succession to the throne of the Owa of Igbajo, the 2005 Chieftaincy Declaration, recognised two ruling houses, namely Owa Iloro and Owa Oke-Ode.

”Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fasade hailed from the Owa Iloro ruling house; hence, upon his demise, it became the turn of the Owa Oke-Ode ruling house.

“However, each of the two ruling houses also has a number of branches or families under it. The Owa Iloro Ruling House has nine branches or families, while the Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House has seven branches or families.

“In filling the vacant stool, 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.

“This was the grouse of the majority of the citizens of Igbajo because the exercise was not in line with the custom and tradition of Igbajo.”

The governor, however, said  in addressing the yearning of the people of Igbajo, his administration inaugurated a committee to look into all activities of the past administration on chieftaincy matters from July 17 to Nov. 26, 2022.

He said the committee received memoranda from members of the public, including the community.

The committee 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.

“This recommendation was accepted by my administration and here we are today.

“The transparent and custom and tradition compliant selection process produced Oba Ademola Makinde whom we are all gathered here today to honour with a Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment,” he said.

Mr Adeleke, thereafter, congratulated the new Owa of Igbajo and the people of Igbajo land as he presented the staff of office and instrument of appointment to Mr Makinde.

(NAN)