Osun: Princes, kingmakers clash over move to dethrone jailed monarch

A crucial meeting was held at the palace of the monarch of Ipetumodu in Osun State among the royal princes of the town to declare the throne vacant, following the conviction of the incumbent king, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States.

The meeting nearly descended into chaos as attendees engaged in a war of words.

During the meeting, which took place on Tuesday evening, the princes urged the community’s kingmakers to write a formal letter to the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, requesting King Oloyede’s removal and initiating the process for selecting the next king of the town.

They also demanded that the king be dethroned and that the throne be declared vacant. However, these demands were turned down by the presiding High Chief of the community, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, who is the most senior surviving kingmaker.

This response generated significant uproar among the attendees, leading to shouting matches and name-calling, with some even threatening to resort to physical violence if their demands were not met.

Commenting on the situation, a prince from the Aribile Ruling House, Olaboye Ayoola, expressed his dissatisfaction to reporters regarding the way Chief Adedeji dismissed their request.

According to him, “During the meeting, we all decided that two new kingmakers should be elected to replace the deceased ones and a letter was written to the governor declaring the seat vacant. But Chief Adedeji refused, insisting we won’t do that.”

“He said that he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker. That led to chaos, and the meeting ended without any resolution”.

When contacted, Adedeji maintained that said it was true he rejected the proposal of removing the king from the throne, saying, peace should be allowed to reign in the community.

However, Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, no action could be taken on the matter until the government obtains a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment.

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