Osun Obaship Crisis : Ogedengbe family lays claim to Alatorin stool, accuses politicians of complicity

The popular Ogedengbe family of Ijesa land has laid claim to the throne of Alatorin, saying its dynasty is the heir apparent of Atorin-Ijesa.

The family also maintained that the late legendary warlord, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro’s parents  founded and single handedly named the village Atorin, adding that he’s a royal founder and his lineage is automatically the rightful occupant of the stool of Atorin

Atorin village is housed by Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun State (now Atakumosa East Central LCDA).

The throne was left vacant following the demise of Barrister (OBA) Olufisayo Ogedengbe about two years ago.

Supreme Head of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro worldwide, HRH Mathew Oyekanmi Ogedengbe, the Obanla of Ijesaland, in a statement made available to Mega Icon Magazine recently, alleged that some politicians were threatening the peace of the land by subverting the process.

He added that certain misinformation about the right of succession to the stool of Alatorin were being peddled over in the public space by certain persons to satisfy their own selfish agendas.

Obanla, who described as unfortunate the alleged forceful installation of one Mr Omololu Afilaka on Saturday, 6th March 2021 as the Alatorin by Chief Sanya Omirin, also added that to “the entire Atorin community and the Ogedengbe dynasty, this kangaroo self- installation is not only laughable , embarrassing but ridiculous as Afilaka is never an indigine of Atorin”.

Going down memory lane, Obanla Ogedengbe narrated, “Many of the Yoruba history books in primary, secondary and tertiary institution always reserve the interesting part of their writings to describe that warlord, that Generalissimo , that liberator who came from Atorin -Ijesa and settled down at Anaye Ilesa. All these writings, records and historical facts caption, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro came from ATORIN-IJESA in Atakumosa East Local Government of Osun state . The fact that Ogedengbe’s parent were the first settlers in Atorin Ijesa speaks more volume. The Ogedengbe parent single handedly named the village Atorin ( Cane ) .

“The couple used to quarel and at times the husband do make attempt to beat the wife, the husband now took her to where Atori tree is located and said, whenever we are arguing and you have no one to run to, since we are the only one here, run and embrace this Atori tree and I will forgive you instantly. This Atori tree will be our mediator in this wilderness. Hence the spot became Atorin till date.

“Both their adulterated story and genuine story revealed that Ogedengbe grew up and even made it in Atorin before he joined Ibadan warrior. Hence he is a royal founder and his lineage is automatically the rightful occupant of the stool of Atorin Community”, he declared.

He further explained , “Just about 2 years ago when the late Alatorin, Barrister (OBA) Olufisayo Ogedengbe joined his ancestors, there have been lots of manipulation, permutations from Hon. Ajibola Famurewa and Sanya Omirin to sideline Ogedengbe Family from their right as the occupant of the stool by re-writing the history suddenly , with their power , they are now chiefs , now they are from Royal Family , even in their adulterated history, Ogedengbe is a visitor. Another version said he is from woman lineage of Atorin . What a slap to Ijesa entirety.

“The historical right has been trampled upon because of their weight politically. “Simultaneously, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa is also presenting his own brother, one Mr. Femi Famurewa as the choice of the people . People that came to farm on our land suddenly became the hier apparent to the throne.

“These two Politician from APC and PDP are seriously working to eradicate the history of Ogedengbe to satisfy their own wishes as it is known that Atorin Community is sitting on vast raw gold.

“As at now, the two warring politicians and their candidates have been causing civil unrest in the peaceful community of Atorin , wrestling the leadership among themselves with Cutlass and weapons. Even after their several years in governance, the road to Atorin-Ijesa Community is extremely bad. The only Primary School there is an eye sore.

“The installations or coronation of two Political elements from both quarters is causing unrest in Atorin-Ijesa Community while the choice of the community is neglected and both are trying to pocket the history.

“The entire Ogedengbe Family will never sit and watch this happen, we shall not take law into our hands. But we shall fight to stop this illegality. The History of Ogedengbe is indelible”, the statement concluded.

The family, however urged Governor Gboyega Oyetola, the paramount ruler of Ijesaland , Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the Chairman of Atakumosa East Central LCDA; among others to urgently wade into the crisis.