July 17, (THEWILL) – The Ataoja of Osogbo in Osun State, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji has never hidden his support for the Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the governorship election that just took place.
About two weeks ago when Adeleke and his campaign train visited his palace, the traditional ruler boasted that he had pitched his tent with Adeleke and warned the opposition not to disrupt the peace of the state in the name of politics. He also prayed that the PDP candidate would emerge victorious at the poll. He specifically warned the Chairman of Olorunda Local Government chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewale, also known as Asiri Eniba, against orchestrating violence in the town.
THEWILL gathered that the royal father supported Adeleke not because of personal reasons but because of a favour some members of the party he represents did before he became the Ataoja of Osogbo.
Oba Olanipekun Olatunji became the Ataoja of Osogbo in 2010, but his emergence was not without opposition. Some members of the ruling house disowned him, claiming that he does not belong to any of the ruling houses in the town. There are five ruling houses in Osogbo who rotate the title of Ataoja of Osogbo. The Laarooye’s, Sogbo Dede, Matanmi, Lahanmi and Oyipo. When king makers suggested his name as the most eligible candidate, he was vehemently opposed by some members of the ruling house who threatened to stop him if chosen. The former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola who is a chieftain of the PDP and the regional representative of PDP in South- West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo prevailed with the king maker and ensured Olanipekun-Olatunji became the king against all odds.
Oyinlola and Olanipekun-Olatunji had known each other even before the issue of kingship came up. When it came up, Oyinlola had no choice than to support a friend who had always been there for him. Even after he was crowned king, some of the ruling houses who did not support his kingship took him to the Osun State High Court. The court ruled in their favour twice but Olanipekun-Olatunji kept appealing the case until the Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State reinstated him.
While he became a regular caller at the court, Oyinlola and Oladipo didn’t forsake him. They were solidly behind him and gave him the necessary support needed to win the case. After the Appeal court reinstated Olanipekun-Olatunji, he made a vow to reciprocate the kind gestures of the two PDP chieftains if not individually, at least to the party they both represent. That is why he canvassed for support for Adeleke. So far, indigenes of Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government who are subjects of the Ataoja, who used to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in previous elections are now rooting for PDP because of the Ataoja’s influence.
