Adeleke, Ataoja clash over Osun Iyaloja General position

A fresh dispute has erupted over the position of Iyaloja General of Osun State, following conflicting claims by the state government and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, regarding who should occupy the office.

The development has produced two claimants to the influential position, with the Ataoja declaring the return of Chief Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, while Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration continues to recognize Mrs. Mary Oyebode as the State’s Iyaloja General.

The latest dispute followed a video in which the Ataoja presented Asindemade with the royal beads associated with the office and announced her return as Iyaloja General.

The monarch claimed authority to appoint the occupant of the position.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, speaking in Yoruba, 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.”

Asindemade previously served as Iyaloja General during the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola.

However, in May 2023, shortly after assuming office, Adeleke approved the appointment of Oyebode as her replacement.

Reacting to the development, Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, reaffirmed Oyebode as the Iyaloja General recognized by the state government.

In a statement reacting to an announcement from the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, the governor affirmed that only the state government is vested with the authority by law to appoint the Iyaloja General.

“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.

The governor urged market associations and womenfolk across the state to ignore any appointment of a new Iyaloja General.

“Mrs. Oyebode continues to enjoy the full support and recognition of the state government in her capacity as the duly appointed Iyaloja General of Osun State,” he said.

He further appealed to institutions and individuals to be mindful of the law and their assigned mandates, advising them to desist from actions capable of disturbing the peace of the state.