Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has postponed until further notice the formal presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to Oba Muritala Oyelakin, the newly appointed Aree of Iree in the state.
Adeleke disclosed this in a statement on Saturday through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
This decision followed a court order restraining Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke from officially presenting the instrument of office to the new Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
Alimi said Adeleke has respect for rule of law and will abide by the court order that restrained him from presenting staff of office to Oba Oyelakin.
Adeleke had approved Oba Oyelakin’s appointment in March, following the deposition of Oba Raphael Ponle by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022, citing procedural irregularities.
The conflicting appointments led to a divided town, with supporters of both monarchs claiming loyalty.
Justice Michael Awe of the Osogbo High Court issued an ex-parte order restraining the state government from presenting the instrument of office to Oba Oyelakin.
This came after Oba Ponle obtained an interlocutory injunction to halt the process until the substantive suit’s hearing, scheduled for May 8.
The statement said,“Osun State Government has postponed until further notice the formal presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to Oba Muritala Oyelakin, the newly appointed Aree of Iree.
“Following an Osun State High Court’s Ex-Parte ruling presided over by Hon Justice M. O. Awe against the presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty Oba Muritala Oyelakin as the Aree of Iree, the government wishes to implore the monarch and the good people of Iree to remain calm and be law-abiding.
“We want to state unequivocally that the status quo remains as the presentation of staff and instrument of appointment that would have been held today, 4th May, 2024, is mere ceremonial and does not in any way invalidate the earlier approval granted Oba Oyelakin as the substantive Aree of Iree as approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Osun State Executive Council.
