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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The claim by Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, that his stool is number four in Osun State has generated reactions from the people concerned.
The monarch in a video circulated on social media, reportedly spoke at Osun State University, Osogbo, during the celebration of his 15th anniversary on the throne, where he claimed that his position came before the Oluwo in Osun traditional council ranking.
Spokesperson of Oluwo, Alli Ibrahim, in a statement yesterday, said he watched the video of the contest on stool hierarchy with disappointment.”
Noting that the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdurosheed Akanni, would not contend or compete with anyone, Ibrahim stressed that Ataoja should note that the claim to seniority is not by chair.
According to him, Oluwo has respect for Osogbo because of the great men and women from there, who have contributed immensely to the town, particularly the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus; Alhaji Bayo Jimoh; the current Asiwaju of Osogbo, Justice Adekunle Adeigbe; Aare Musulumi of Osogbo, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Adekunle; APC national secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru; the Secretary to the Government of Osun State, Teslim Igbalaye and many others who are captains of industries, who are in the good book of Oluwo.
“In honour of these people and the good people of Osogbo, the paramount ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has chosen not to go to history with Ataoja because the margin is unbeatable.
“Ataoja is strongly advised to seek unadulterated history from great men and women of Osogbo well versed in the history of Osogbo and Yoruba by extension.
“As widely known, the throne of Oluwo is a natural paramount ruler. We have very few of such in Yorubaland, who are monarchs from inception with no history of coronet.
“Oluwo is a viceroy of none. Oluwo has over 35 kings he installed. Many clarifications would have been made but Oluwo has regards for the eminent sons and daughters of Osogbo.
“Ataoja claimed his crown was from Ipole. Oluwo has a very rich history, whose crown source was from Oduduwa. As far as we know, Ataoja was a Baale until 1948.
“While I agree we are in an era where even the newest Baale can challenge the oldest crowns with little consequences, I still feel hurt by what we deliberately surrendered to in the last generation of 25 years.
“The conquest of Yorubaland from the invasion of the Fulani in Osogbo was not without the front war leadership of Iwo warriors, such as Balogun Ali-Iwo, Basorun Ogunmola, Balogun Oderinlo, Orowusi, who are Iwo indigenes (Omo Bibi Ilu Iwo) before they left for Ibadan.
“The emergence of Oba Akanbi as the paramount ruler of Iwoland is a restoration of hope and repositioning of Oluwo stool. Many felt threatened that TELU has reincarnated to claim his glory and occupy his rightful position in the comity of ancient towns.
“Ataoja should not forget in a haste the historical incident at the Osun State Council of Obas meeting sometime last year. Several statements were also made by the late Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi of Oyo, establishing the authority of Oluwo of Iwoland.
“Osogbo has quality sons and daughters, who are making waves and contributing immensely to her greatness. Being the state capital, they have enjoyed unequalled infrastructure and workforce presence that have contributed to her dense population. These should not be the factor by Ataoja to rate his stool with the Oluwo throne, a corporal competing with a general.
“The statement made by Ataoja was an overreach and cannot cause friction between the good people of Iwoland and Osogbo. The inference is like the Olu of Ikeja to Akiolu of Lagos,” the statement added.
