Osun: White Paper On Iree Throne ‘Seriously Flawed’ , ‘Unacceptable’–Ruling Houses

The white paper released on Iree throne by the Osun state government on Thursday is full of flaws and should be considered as dead on arrival, members of the ruling houses in the ancient town, have submitted.

 Recall that the state government  had on Thursday  released six  important white papers, five on  committees that investigated matters raised through  the executive orders issued by  Governor Ademola Adeleke at the start of his administration in November 2022, as well as  the White paper on Education Summit.

The  state government had also  noted that the White Papers earlier approved by the State Executive Council were finally ratified after a further review by a special committee chaired by Governor Adeleke in line with his promise to ensure due process, in-depth consultation and compliance with the rule of law.

The white paper had also recommended fresh selection process in Iree.

‘In line with the report of the White Paper, all previous steps taken in relation to the installation of  new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo stand nullified. And that an all-inclusive selection process(es) for a new Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo, respectively, should commence immediately.

Specifically on Aree of Iree throne, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the Court so as to allow for commencement of the selection process denovo in line with due process and tradition’ Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, who is the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment,, submitted in a statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday.. 

The ruling houses in Iree have however urged the people of the town to remain calm in the face of provocation while describing the decision taken by the state government as one that has undermined the judiciary cognizant of an ongoing court case.

Recall that  Prince Raphael Ademola was appointed   as the 16th Aree of Iree  on November 4 , 2022 .

Secretary of the ruling houses, Mr Gbenga Olatunji said the Oṣun state government has  “only rubbed mud on the face of judiciary’ with such  a proclamation when a court of competent jurisdiction has already reserved judgment on the same subject matter.

 He also alleged plans to create artificial crisis in Iree community noting that .the court would have delivered judgment with respect to the case on December 14, 2023, but could not however do so because of the ongoing  strike by  the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN)  .

The ruling houses have according to him rejected the White Paper and strongly believe that the judiciary will do justice in respect of the matter.

‘It is just a question of time: that charade cannot stand; but we appeal to our people, especially the ruling houses to remain calm and law abiding’ he said.

Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke , who is popularly called Banik , has also spoken in the same vein.

In an interview with Team@orientactualmags.com, he condemned the content of the White Paper on Iree throne describing it as an exercise in futility.

Banik is from the Larooye ruling house ,

 “Governor Ademola Adeleke made himself a judge in his own case, an action validating his ignorance of law in respect to kingship  and the vendetta nursed by the handlers of the government .

If ‘Quack Justice’ Ademola Adeleke had been rightly advised, he would have understood that such  a pronouncement is a contempt of court and double standard on a matter that parties have called witnesses and filed written addresses. It is a rape on the value and sacredness of the Judiciary.

Only in Osun will a government truncate a court process as Governor Adeleke has brazenly done in this case.

It is also a double standard for failing to apply the same rule to all the four affected thrones. The government in the case of Aláwò asked the parties to wait for the Supreme Court decision and also in the case of Akinrun, they maintained that the parties should await the judgment of the Appeal Court. Why should that of Iree and Igbajo be different? That is a clear case of witch-hunting and bias.

It amounts to blowing smoke on the judiciary’s face’  Adebayo submitted- Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you