Adeleke rejects monarch’s declaration of new Osun Iyaloja General

A dispute has emerged between Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over the appointment of the state’s Iyaloja General. In a video that circulated on Saturday, the monarch announced that Chief Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, had returned to the office. Asindemade previously held the position during the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola.

The governor replaced Asindemade with Mrs Mary Oyebode in 2023. At the event shown in the video, Oyetunji said he had directed Asindemade to support Adeleke’s re-election campaign in the August 15 governorship poll and that she had complied. The monarch said he had therefore returned Asindemade’s royal beads and reinstated her as Iyaloja General.

He also said he was the person with authority to appoint the office-holder and urged the governor to remain at peace with Asindemade. Adeleke rejected the declaration in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. The governor said Oyebode remained the state’s legally appointed Iyaloja General under the authority of the state government.

He described any announcement from another quarter, including the Osogbo Royal Palace, as null and void. Adeleke directed market associations and women across the state to disregard the purported new appointment and said Oyebode would continue to receive government recognition and support. The governor also urged institutions and individuals to respect their legal mandates and avoid actions capable of disturbing peace in Osun State.