By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
Following a recent seniority battle between the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, princes in Osogbo has disclosed that there is no basis for competition between the duo.
Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on Wednesday, the princes from Sogbo, Lahanmi and Matanmi ruling houses disclosed that the Ataoja inherited his beaded crown from his forefather, Owa Ajibogun, a direct descendant of Oduduwa.
Prince Lekan Salami, who spoke on behalf of the princes, urged Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to take urgent steps towards restoring the Ataoja’s rightful place among Osun State traditional rulers.
According to him, “Owa Larooye, the first Ataoja of Osogbo was a fifth-generation descendant of Oduduwa through Okanbi’s son, Ajibogun, the first Owa Obokun of Ijesha land. This connection was confirmed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, in 1947, allowing Ataoja Samuel Adenle to resume wearing the beaded crown.
This was after the Ooni had confirmed from Owa-Obokun of Ijeshaland, the historical narration of Oba Samuel Adenle, claiming paternal relationship with the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, through Owa Ajibogun, a direct son of Okanbi, the only son of Oduduwa.
“Conversely, the founder/first Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adekola Telu was the son of the first and the only female Ooni of Ife, Oba LUWO GBAGIDA. She was the immediate Ooni of Ife reigning after Ooni Giesi. She hailed from Otaata family, Owode Compound, Okerewe, Ile-Ife.
“As a woman, she was married to High Chief OBALORAN OF ILODE COMPOUND OF IFE and the union, as stated earlier, produced the founder of Iwo, Oba Adekola Telu who equally was the first Oluwo of Iwo. Thus, Oluwo of Iwo’s claim of seniority to Ataoja of Osogbo, in the roll-call of Obas in Osun State, is not only a farse but, could not be substantiated. His only claim to Oduduwa is through her mother Ooni LUWO GBAGIDA.
“This is the incontrovertible history of Oluwo of Iwo and the Ataoja of Osogbo ancestries according to archival and government official records. Under Ibadan Division of the above second letter, Ataoja was listed as number one (I) while Oluwo of Iwo was listed as number seven (7). This was so because Ooni of Ife, Owa Obokun of Ijesha land and Orangun of Ila, occupy the first three (3) positions in that order.
This is the message and response of Osogbo to the unwarranted and unsubstantiated seniority claim of Oluwo of Iwo over Ataoja of Osogbo.
From the colonial era to the administration of His Excellency, Governor Bisi Akande, the Ataoja occupied the fourth (4th) position in the hierarchy of Obas as it affects Osun State. It was only during the administration of His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, that this established seniority ORDER was unjustifiably tampered with in favour of Oluwo of Iwo while the late Ataoja of Osogbo His Majesty, Oba lyiola Oyewale Matanmi III, was out of the country.
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