Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered a new selection process to fill the positions of Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, after nullifying the previous procedures.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained on Thursday, January 18.
According to the statement, the government decisions on the stools were contained in six White Papers on various committees that investigated issues raised by the executive orders issued by the governor, at the inception of the administration in November 2022.
Adeleke had reversed the appointments of all royal fathers appointed by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the beginning of his tenure.
He specifically directed the dismissal of Aree of Iree, Oba Ademola Raphael, Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyegba Famoodun and Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Akadiri, and ordered investigations into the processes that produced them as monarchs.
The statement by Alimi partly read, “By the report of the White Paper, all previous steps taken concerning the installation of Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo stands nullified. And that the all-inclusive selection process (es) for a new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, respectively, should commence immediately.
“Specifically on Aree of Iree Chieftaincy, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the court to allow for the commencement of the selection process in line with due process and tradition.
“And on the stool of Owa of Igbajo, the White Paper nullified the previous selection process which produced Prince Gboyega Famodun and directed an all-inclusive selection process for a new Owa nominee.
“On the disputed Akirun stool, the White Paper directed that the parties await the outcome of the case before the Court of Appeal. And that the stool remains vacant.
“On other disputed kingship stools, the white paper further recommended compliance with the requirements of the law as in the Alawo stool where the government accepted the committee recommendation that the government should await the outcome of the pending suit before the Supreme Court,” the statement added.
