*Two ruling houses ask Osun Govt to cancel present selection process
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Tension is now mounting in Ilu-Iran Ayedire South LCDA of Osun State over the selection of a new Oniran of Ilu-Iran after Oba Sawiyu Ayinla Alao, Adewolu joined his ancestors on 5th May, 2023
Already, two of the ruling houses in the town, the Awanibaku and Orunmo of Ilu-Iran at the weekend asked me Osun State Government to halt the on going process of selecting a new Oniran of Iranba describing it as warped and abuse of customs and tradition.
According to the aggrieved ruling houses, “in accordance with the customs and also Obaship and Chieftaincy law of Osun State, before a person could be selected for the post, he has to be recommended and proposed by the ruling house whose turn it is to present candidate for the vacant stool”.
The Awanibaku family said to be the next ruling house to present candidate for the vacant Oniran stool was said to have in a letter to the National President of Royal Union of Owu People (RUOP), Alhaji Engr. Fatai Akinbade stated that it has chosen Prince Kazeem Akintayo Adeosun as its candidate
In the letter signed by Alfa Saliu Akinade Fabunmi, Chief Dauda Olaoye Akintayo, Pa Suara Olabiyi Akintayo, Mrs. Jaworatu Adeniran, Semiu Olaitan, Mutiu Alao Orunmo, Alhaja Salimot Olaitan and Mrs. Sariyu Abeki Akibu, the Awanibaku family traced the history of the community and its attachment to Awanibaku, thereby urging Alhaji Akinbade to ensure that Owu heritage is protected.
Also, in two different letters and separately addressed to Gov Ademola Adeleke and the Osun state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs signed by A. T. Abdul Rasaq of Metro Chambers and A. F. Oladiti of Law Office of AF Oladiti on behalf of two ruling houses, Awanibaku and Orunmo of Ilu-Iran respectively, it was alleged that one Hon. Kunle Omolola, an indigene of Elefon Village has been allegedly imposed as the candidate for the vacant stool from Olaitan family of the Orunmo ruling house.
It was contended that it is not yet the turn of the family to produce Oniran of Ilu-Iran and that he is just coming to spoil the family’s chance when it becomes appropriate for it to make presentation of candidate in the future.
One of the letters alleged that the Awanibaku family was denied eligibility form for selection into Obaship of Oniran of Ilu-Iran on the and that the original kingmakers of the town were allegedly sidelined in the selection process.
