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Governor Ademola Adeleke insists Mrs Mary Oyebode remains Osun State Iyaloja General after the Ataoja of Osogbo reinstated Chief Awawu Asindemade to the office.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, may be heading for a showdown over the appointment to the office of the State Iyaloja General, the head of markets in the state. The dispute emerged after a video went viral on Saturday in which the traditional ruler declared that Chief Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, had returned to the office of Iyaloja General of Osun State. The governor responded the same day in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo, insisting that Mrs Mary Oyebode remains the Iyaloja General.
Background of the Iyaloja General Office
Asindemade held the office of Iyaloja General during the administrations of former Osun State governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegbeyega Oyetola. In 2023, the incumbent governor replaced her with Mrs Mary Oyebode. Since then, Asindemade had kept her distance from the Adeleke government and was mainly seen at events organised by the All Progressives Congress.
The office of Iyaloja General is a prominent position in Osun State, overseeing market affairs and representing the interests of traders and womenfolk across the state. Its occupant wields considerable influence in market associations and grassroots commerce.
Ataoja Announces Reinstatement in Viral Video
In the viral video, Oba Oyetunji spoke in Yoruba and said he instructed Asindemade to work for Adeleke's re-election in the August 15 governorship poll. He added that, having complied with the directive, he had returned her to the office of the Iyaloja General of Osun State.
At the event where the Ataoja reinstated Asindemade, the royal father said, I am the only person who can appoint the Iyaloja General. 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.
The declaration by the Ataoja came amid political expectations surrounding the next governorship election in the state. The traditional ruler tied the reinstatement directly to Asindemade's support for the governor's re-election bid.
Governor Insists Oyebode Remains in Office
Reacting to the development, Adeleke insisted that Oyebode remained the Iyaloja General of Osun State. He said the authority to make appointments such as that of the Iyaloja General was vested only in the state governor.
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, the statement read partly.
The governor also urged market associations and womenfolk across the state to ignore any appointment of a new Iyaloja General. He noted that Oyebode would continue to enjoy the full support and recognition of the state government in her capacity as the duly appointed occupant of the office.
Appeal for Calm and Respect for Law
Adeleke further appealed to institutions and individuals to be mindful of the law and their assigned mandates under the law. He advised that institutions and individuals should desist from actions capable of disturbing the peace of the state.
The statement did not indicate any further action against the palace, but the exchange highlights the tension between the state government and the traditional institution over the control of market leadership. Both the governor and the Ataoja have staked their positions publicly, leaving traders and market associations awaiting clarity on who legitimately holds the office.
As the dispute continues, residents and market leaders in Osun State are watching for any resolution that could affect the administration of markets and the representation of traders across the state.
Osun State Ademola Adeleke Iyaloja General Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Awawu Asindemade Mary Oyebode Ataoja Of Osogbo
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