Royal families in Osogbo have called on the Osun State Government to reinstate the Ataoja of Osogbo to his rightful position as the fourth-ranking monarch in the Osun State Council of Obas.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Aruru Gbaemu compound in Osogbo on Tuesday, representatives of the Sogbo, Lahanmi, and Matanmi royal families urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to restore the Ataoja’s ranking to its original status.
They argued that the Oluwo of Iwo is historically, traditionally, and legally unqualified to occupy that position.
The families noted that the Ataoja’s long-held fourth position in the traditional hierarchy was replaced by the Oluwo of Iwo, describing the change as an anomaly that must be corrected.
Presenting a joint address on behalf of the families, Prince Lekan Salami explained that the Ataoja of Osogbo is a direct descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, which places him in a position of seniority over the Oluwo of Iwo.
He stated that the first Ataoja, Oba Larooye, was the fifth generation after Oduduwa and that all Ataojas have worn the beaded Are crown and wielded the Opaga staff, both ancient symbols of royal authority and seniority.
In contrast, the Oluwo of Iwo was said to trace his lineage maternally to Oduduwa through Ooni Luwo Gbagida, the only female Ooni of Ife, thereby lacking direct paternal descent from Oduduwa.
“ Oluwo of Iwo’s claim of seniority to Ataoja of Osogbo, in the roll-call of Obas in Osun State, is not only a farce, but could not be substantiated. His only claim to Oduduwa is through her mother Ooni Luwo Gbagida. In other words, Oluwo of Iwo is not paternally related to Oduduwa, the godfather of Yoruba race. Oluwo of Iwo, without mincing words, is only maternally related to Oduduwa through her mother, Queen Luwo Gbagida, the daughter of Ooni Otaata, while, Ataoja of Osogbo is a son of Ajibogun, the first Owa Obokun of Ijesa Land and a direct son of Okanbi, the only son of Oduduwa,” Salami disclosed.
To back their claim, the families presented copies of colonial-era correspondence dated May 3 and June 28, 1948, which listed the Ataoja as number one under the Ibadan Division category, while the Oluwo of Iwo was listed as number seven.
They added that the traditional hierarchy then placed the Ooni of Ife, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, and Orangun of Ila as the top three monarchs, with the Ataoja of Osogbo occupying the fourth position.
The royal families urged Governor Adeleke to restore the long-standing order, stressing that reinstating the Ataoja’s rightful position would uphold historical accuracy, fairness, and integrity in Osun’s traditional institution.
In his remarks, the National President of the Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Alhaji Kamorudeen Ayodele Makinde, appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for swift intervention to preserve peace.
Makinde emphasized that Osogbo has always been known as a peaceful and hospitable city and urged the government to take prompt action to restore the Ataoja’s rightful position as the fourth-ranking monarch.
He noted that historical records clearly establish Osogbo’s long-standing fourth position and maintained that Iwo is not superior to Osogbo in any traditional hierarchy. He stressed the need for the government to act quickly to ensure continued peace and harmony between the communities.
Also speaking, Omooba Deacon Agboola Adejobi encouraged independent verification of historical records to confirm the Ataoja’s ranking and urged the state government to prevent any act that could deprive Osogbo of its rightful traditional status.
