Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Abidemi Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye 2, is apolitical and father to all political parties and politicians in his domain and Osun State.
The Asiwaju of Osogboland, Chief Ajadi Adekilekun Badmus, stated this in reaction to a statement that the traditional ruler allegedly threatened non-indigenes residing in the town on which party to vote for in the forthcoming elections.
The Ataoja had reportedly held a meeting recently with representatives of non-indigenous communities in Osogbo, the state capital.
The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a release, had accused the traditional ruler of threatening non-native residents in his domain.
However, the Asiwaju of Osogboland, Chief Badmus, stated in a release that the essence of the meeting was twisted and distorted, hence the “embarrassing allegation against Oba Jimoh Abidemo Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye 2, the Ataoja of Osogbo and the Palace.”
He said, consequent upon the release by the APC, he had to approach the Ataoja to know what really transpired at the said meeting.
Chief Badmus said the traditional ruler confirmed that he truly held the meeting, but that he was shocked that the agenda of the meeting was twisted.
“As the Asiwaju of Osogboland, I deem it imperative to ask/enquire from the Kabiyesi the authenticity of the APC Press Release on the meeting convened by His Royal Majesty.
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“Oba Larooye, in his responce, confirmed holding the meeting but expressed shock and indignation at the twisting of the agenda of the meeting he had with representatives of non-indigenous communities in Osogboland.
“According to the Ataoja, he convened the meeting in order to appeal to non-native residents of his domain to allow peaceful and rancourless elections before, during and after the general election.
“The Ataoja said he neither threatened, nor warned his guests on how to exercise their lawful and legitimate franchise during the coming elections, but only preached messages of peaceful atmosphere in his domain,” he stated.
The Asiwaju of Osogboland expressed his support for the Ataoja for holding the meeting with the representatives of non-indigenous communities in Osogbo.
He said such was expected of the traditional ruler as it was his function to ensure peace in his domain before, during and after the conduct of the elections.
“I want to believe that this action is one of the cardinal functions of the Ataoja and it is necessary, in view of the daily scary news and reports of incidents that the public receive almost on daily basis.
“Based on the above, I wish to make it clear and assure all and sundary that the Ataoja did not and could not have issued threats or asked his guests to vote against their conscience or vote for or against any political party.
“In fact, the Ataoja is father to all political parties and their members,” the Asiwaju of Osogboland from Ile Ogboriefon, Adesina Crescent, GRA, Okefia, Osogbo, added.
