The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has backtracked on the controversy surrounding the Iyaloja-General of Osun State, declaring that Chief Awawu Asindemade is not the Iyaloja-General.
It would be recalled that Oba Oyetunji, in a viral video, announced the reinstatement of Asindemade as Iyaloja-General, insisting that he remains the only person empowered to appoint the occupant of the position.
“I am the only person who can appoint the Iyaloja-General. I told her 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 Awawu Asindemade’s royal beads as the Iyaloja-General,” the monarch had said in the video.
But Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a swift response through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, denounced the announcement, reaffirming Mrs. Mary Oyebode as the legally appointed Iyaloja-General.
“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,” the governor had stated.
In a new twist on Monday, the monarch who recanted his earlier position said that he never pronounced Asindemade as Iyaloja-General of Osun.
Oba Oyetunji explained that he only engaged Asindemade to coordinate market women for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
“I was asked to be the Chief Host for those coming to work for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Osogbo, and I chose Alhaja Awawu Asindemade to coordinate the market women because she is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and she knows the way.
“That was what I did. I did not pronounce Asindemade as the Iyaloja-General of Osun State. Asindemade is the Iyalode of Osogbo and former Iyaloja-General of Osun State. I am supporting the person whom Governor Adeleke appointed as the Iyaloja-General,” Oba Oyetunji said.
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