The Ataoja of Osogbo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye II), has clarified his recent remarks on the controversy surrounding the Iyaloja-General of Osun State, insisting that his statement was misunderstood and was never intended to challenge the authority of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The clarification came after a video from the Ataoja’s Palace went viral and was interpreted as the monarch reaffirming Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo, as the Iyaloja-General of Osun State. The development drew a reaction from the state government, which maintained its recognition of Mrs Mary Oyebode as the state’s Iyaloja-General.
But Oba Olanipekun said the interpretation of the video did not reflect the circumstances surrounding his remarks. He stressed that he had no intention of contradicting the government’s position or undermining Governor Adeleke.
The monarch explained that the matter was connected to a planned visit to Osun by the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu, who, according to him, had contacted him ahead of the visit and requested that he host her.
He said the proposed visit was linked to activities surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s second-term political campaign, and that his concern was how to receive the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria without creating tension among market leaders under his traditional jurisdiction.
According to the Ataoja, the situation involved Mrs Omolara Ilesanmi, the Iyaloja of Idi-Osun, who he said claimed to have been appointed as the new Iyaloja-General, as well as Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, the Iyalode of Osogbo who previously held the Iyaloja-General position.
Oba Olanipekun said his intervention was therefore aimed at clarifying the situation and preventing a possible disagreement between the two women ahead of Chief Folashade Tinubu’s proposed visit.
He maintained that the remarks should not be interpreted as an attempt by the palace to usurp the powers of the state government.
The monarch’s explanation offers a different context to the viral video, which had triggered suggestions that the Ataoja had deliberately acted against the position of the Adeleke administration.
The controversy centres on the leadership of market women in Osun State. The state government has maintained its recognition of Mrs Mary Oyebode as Iyaloja-General, a position she was appointed to by Governor Adeleke in 2023.
The Ataoja, however, said his remarks were not intended to create a confrontation with the governor or the state government.
He appealed to the public to properly understand the circumstances behind the video, stressing that peace and stability should remain the priority.
The monarch also called for a cordial relationship between traditional institutions and government, saying differences should be handled with restraint and mutual respect rather than allowed to escalate.
Oba Olanipekun’s clarification comes as the disagreement over the Iyaloja-General position continues to attract public attention, with both the traditional institution and the state government maintaining their respective positions on the matter.
