Oluwo, Ataoja engage in supremacy tussle over stool hierarchy
The Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Laaroye and Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi have engaged in royal supremacy tussle over stool hierarchy under the Osun State Council of traditional rulers.
Penpushing reports that this followed a viral video on Facebook shared by Ataoja asserting the supremacy of his stool in the state’s council of traditional rulers, to be the fourth most important in the state, ranking it above several others.
The Oluwo in reaction through his spokesperson, Alli Ibraheem, dismissed the claim as overreach, emphasizing that the clarification was necessary to protect the ancient stool of the Oluwo and to prevent distortions of Yoruba history.
Penpushing further reports that the statement said Oluwo will not contend or compete with anyone, however, declared that Ataoja should note that the claim to seniority is not by chair, and advised him to learn “unadulterated history from great men and women of Osogbo well versed in the history of Osogbo and Yoruba by extension.”
The statement described the Oluwo as a “natural, paramount ruler” in Yorubaland, with its crown tracing directly to Oduduwa, stressing that he (Oluwo) presides over more than 35 subordinate monarchs in Iwoland.
Penpushing also reports that the Oluwo in the statement argued that conversely, the Ataoja only attained crown status in 1948 after being a Baale.
“While I agree we are in an era where even the newest Baale can challenge the oldest crowns with little consequences, yet I still feel hurt by what we deliberately surrendered in the last generation (25 years),” he stated.
Penpushing reports that the controversial Oluwo while faulting Ataoja’s version of history, stressed that he (Oluwo) holds Osogbo and its people in high regard pointed to the contributions of notable indigenes such as Tunde Badmus, Justice Adekunle Adeigbe, AbdulGaniyu Adekunle, and Ajibola Basiru, noting that the Oluwo would not engage the Ataoja in a needless supremacy contest out of respect for them.
“In honour of these people and the good of Osogbo, the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has chosen not to go to history with Ataoja because the margin is unbeatable,” the statement added.
Penpushing further reports that he recalled the role of Iwo warriors in defending Yorubaland during the Fulani invasion in Osogbo, citing the exploits of leaders such as Balogun Ali-Iwo and Basorun Ogunmola.
“Osogbo has quality sons and daughters who are making waves and contributing immensely to her greatness. Being the state capital, they have enjoyed unequalled infrastructures and workforce presence that have contributed to her dense population. These should not be the factor by Ataoja to ratio his stool with the Oluwo throne, a corporal competing with a General,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that the statement concluded that although Ataoja’s claim was “an overreach,” it would not disrupt the cordial relationship between the people of Iwo and Osogbo.
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