Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied rumors suggesting the issuance of a fresh staff of office to the Alawo of Awo, Oba Taiwo Adegboye.

He also dismissed reports that his administration was acting against the principles of the rule of law, clarifying the situation in a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

According to the statement, Oba Taiwo Adegboye was installed as the Alawo of Awo and presented with a staff of office in September 2022 during the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola. Governor Adeleke emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law and assured that the government would not interfere with judicial decisions or disrupt the peace and stability of any community.

The statement clarified, “We are compelled to inform the public that the insinuations of a plan by the Adeleke administration to issue a fresh staff of office for the Awo stool are false. The crisis surrounding the Awo stool predates the tenure of Governor Adeleke, as Taiwo Adegboye, who is at the center of the issue, was installed as Alawo several months before Adeleke assumed office.”

It further highlighted that Taiwo Adegboye had already been issued a staff of office by the previous administration, rendering the rumors baseless. The statement reiterated the government’s respect for the rule of law and acknowledged Adegboye’s right to pursue legal options in the ongoing Obaship tussle, which is currently before the Supreme Court.

The government has decided to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the litigation, as Adegboye has sought a stay of execution on the judgment of the Appeal Court. The statement clarified that Adegboye was celebrating the anniversary of his installation and not the installation or presentation of a new staff of office, contrary to what was being speculated.