The Osogbo Royal Families have rejected the purported endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State by the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun.
The rejection of Ataoja’s position was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the heads of the Osogbo royal families.
These included Prince Samuel Agboola Adejobi of the Sogbo-Dede Ruling House, Prince Mustafa Olugbeja of the Matanmi Ruling House, and Prince Oyeniyi Yekini of the Lahanmi Ruling House.
The royal families stated that Olaonipekun’s endorsement does not represent the views of the indigenes and residents of Osogbo and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
They faulted him for allegedly directing Osogbo indigenes to vote for Governor Adeleke during the inauguration of the LAMECO Overpass in Osogbo, describing the action as inappropriate.
Reacting to the development, the royal families cautioned Olaonipekun against what they described as attempts to intimidate the people of Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
They advised all indigenes and residents of Osogbo to exercise their constitutional right by voting for candidates of their choice.
The royal families further lamented Olaonipekun’s continued public display of political partisanship and open support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)/Accord, saying such actions have brought unnecessary controversy to the revered stool of the Ataoja.
They commended the Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), under the leadership of Alhaji Kamorudeen Makinde, for rejecting the purported endorsement of Governor Adeleke.
The OPU president had earlier criticised the endorsement and called on Osogbo elders and stakeholders to prevail on Olaonipekun to avoid a recurrence of such avoidable public embarrassment, warning that posterity would judge his actions.
The royal families therefore urged Olaonipekun to desist from exposing the Ataoja stool to ridicule, desecration, and public mockery on account of personal political interests.