Osun community backs Adeleke’s removal of monarch convicted in US

Chiefs and princes from the two ruling houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, have expressed support for the state government’s decision to depose Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, whose stool was declared vacant by Governor Ademola Adeleke following his conviction in the United States.

Adeleke, on Monday, had approved the deposition of the monarch.

The princes from the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses, who spoke with The PUNCH in Ipetumodu on Thursday, commended Adeleke and the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Ireyode Oyewusi, for what they described as timely action to prevent further desecration of the Apetu stool.

In separate remarks, Olaboye Ayoola from the Aribile Ruling House and Adewole Oyetunde, Head of Princes from the Fagbemokun Ruling House, said the community was not happy about the situation involving Oba Oloyede but maintained that the overall interest of the town was paramount.

They declared support for Adeleke and Oyewusi after the stool was declared vacant.

The PUNCH reports that Ayoola, during an earlier press conference by the princes, had issued a one-week ultimatum to the state government to act on the request of the ruling houses to declare the stool vacant, and had also threatened that the community might withdraw support for Adeleke and Oyewusi in future elections if no action was taken.

Reacting to the development, Ayoola said the governor and deputy speaker had met the expectations of the community.

“We want to appreciate our governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Prince Abidemi Oyeyode Oyewusi for the mature manner they handled our demands that the stool of Apetu be declared vacant.

“Oyewusi, being an indigene of Ipetumodu, has done well in ensuring that our demands are met by the governor and we will continue to support him and Adeleke. On the day we met the Chief of Staff, Mr. Kazeem Akinleye, who was mandated by the governor to handle the matter, we got assurances and we thank the governor for living up to expectations.

“Also during the meeting, we were told that a major road that links Ipetumodu to the toll gate has been approved by the governor. We were also told that the modern hospital that was given to Ipetumodu by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will commence operations after the deployment of personnel and other things needed by the State Government. We will continue to support Adeleke and Oyewusi in reward for how they have assisted us in managing the agitations over the Apetu stool,” Ayoola said.

Speaking in a similar vein, Adewole Oyetunde of the Fagbemokun Ruling House said the community would continue to cooperate with the state government to resolve issues arising from the incarceration of Oba Oloyede in the United States.

Oyetunde said the community had remained peaceful since the state government declared the stool vacant, adding that residents were fully in support of the action.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, the Mosala of Ipetumodu, Chief Adebanjo Oyetunde, said they had taken full charge following the declaration of the stool as vacant.

He said the chiefs would continue working with the princes to ensure peace, while commending Adeleke and pledging the community’s continued support for his administration.

About nine months after his conviction in the United States, Adeleke earlier in the week deposed Oba Oloyede, who was jailed on tax fraud and money laundering charges.

The state government said the decision followed receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Ohio court judgment that convicted the monarch.