By Ismail Omipidan
Last Thursday afternoon, at about noon, I saw a statement from Osun State Government, signed by its loquacious spokesman, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, announcing a 3-day mourning period for the late illustrious son of Osun, the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. I find it commendable even though it was seen as an afterthought. To confirm it was indeed an afterthought, I expected them to announce the commencement date as Friday, November 10, since they didn’t wake up on time on Thursday to decide when to mourn Lagbaja.
Seeing the pictures from Abuja later on Friday afternoon, showing Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visit to the widow of the late army General evokes some emotions and would for once attempt to portray the governor and government as somewhat responsible. But we were mistaken!
However, by evening of the same Friday, which is the Day 2 official mourning commenced, we saw the Governor dancing his usual “skelewu” on the grave of the late Lagbaja. Who does that ? From the array of dignatories at the party, one thing became clear – the Dancing Governor was in Abuja for the party, but was railroaded into visiting Lagbaja’s widow following the public backlash that came the moment pictures of Oyetola’s visit to Ilobu, the previous day, surfaced.
Ilobu people have sentimental attachment to their Day. They had spent fortunes preparing for the celebration of the Day. But in honour of the late Lagbaja, they called it off without blinking an eye. But here you were, declaring a 3 -day mourning and went partying on the day one of the mourning. Which reasonable and responsible father does that? It is appalling and stands condemned, not even the governor’s visit to Ilobu two days ago could make up for the damage already done.
The Unroyal gaffe
Just as one was about putting the juvenile behavior of the Osun Governor behind one, another unroyal gaffe came from one of its sympathisers, though in royal regalia – the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Afolabi.
For those who may have missed the gist, in the video which I watched, the traditional ruler openly confirmed how he supported the Osun PDP to unleash terror and violence on the APC supporters to secure victory, in the last series of elections. In fact, he showed endorsement for the shootings and killings that characterised the recent elections in the state.
This inevitably brings me to the conclusion that the traditional ruler may know a thing or two about the death of Saheed Oyegunju in Ikire, an APC member, who was killed in 2023, on the day the current President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, visited Osun to canvass for votes and support, ahead of the presidential election.
From the video clip which I watched, the late Oyegunju, who until his death was the Ikire Ward 9 Treasurer of the APC, was kidnapped in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State on February 2, 2023, while on his way to APC campaign ground in Osogbo, when Tinubu visited Osogbo.
He was whisked away by known PDP political thugs from the bike that was conveying him to the park, only for his lifeless body to be later found along Oosa Village via Ikire.
Ironically, the leader of the suspected killers is said to be one Sodiq Ayewo, while the boy who rode the bike that was used to take him to where he was murdered is known as Kokumo. With the traditional ruler’s open endorsement of electoral violence, it would not be out of place to get him to answer to some questions concerning the sudden disappearance and subsequent death of the late Ikire Ward 9 APC Treasurer.
To show their lack of empathy for anything decent, rather than condemning the Kabiyesi for openly endorsing electoral violence, the Osun PDP, through its party chairman, Mr. Sunday Bisi, is asking people to stop vilifying the monarch for his unroyal gaffe. Well, what do you expect? After all, they benefitted from the traditional ruler’s “Taata taata.”
It is about four days now, since the video went viral. I am yet to read from any Human Rights Community. I hope it is not what I am thinking? Whatever it is , all hands must be on deck to rein in the Alapomu. He has desecrated the royal stool and therefore, he should be prepared to make necessary atonement.
Omipidan, a journalist, writes from Ile Olorisa Compound, Eyindi, Ila Orangun.
