The Asiwaju of Orile-Imo, Chief Olakunle Olalekan, has dismissed his alleged suspension by the Olu of Orile-Imo, Oba Reuben Sogaolu, insisting that the monarch lacks both the authority and legitimacy to remove him from office.
It was reported that Oba Sogaolu had announced the suspension of Chief Olalekan on Tuesday morning, following a resolution by the Orile-Imo Traditional Council and signed by Balogun of Orile-Imo, Chief Isiaq Adesanya.
The resolution sited gross misconducts as reasons for Asiwaju’s suspension.
The development has since stirred controversy among traditional leaders and residents of the community.
Addressing newsmen in a press conference in Orile-Imo on Tuesday, Chief Olalekan described the purported suspension as invalid, stressing that the Olu has no right to unilaterally take such an action and only Imo Traditional Council hold such power.
Asiwaju maintained that his title did not originate from the Oba Reuben Sogaolu but during the reign of late Oba of Orile-Imo Oba Olatunji olubiyi together with the council of baales , adding that Oba Sogaolu lacked both moral and legal grounds to strip him of his position.
According to him” The Olu of Orile-Imo has no right whatsoever to suspend me as the Asiwaju.
He wasn’t the one who conferred the title on me. It was the late Oba of Orile-Imo, together with our people, that endorsed me, and that cannot just be erased.
“Another reason he cannot suspend me is because he is a coronet oba, and the legitimacy of his ascension to the throne is still a matter before the court.
“Until the court delivers a final judgment affirming him as king, he cannot wield such powers.
“My title is rooted in the will of the community. The people of Orile-Imo endorsed me as Asiwaju even before the advent of the Olu of Orile-Imo.
That cannot be reversed by one individual”, he stated.
Meanwhile the Baale of Abule Kajola, Chief Ayinde Gbadamosi, said the Asiwaju has always worked for the progress of Orile-Imo and should not be distracted by controversies.
In his words” Anybody can say whatever they want to say. Asiwaju has been on ground for the progress of Orile-Imo community. You don’t need to suspend anybody.”
Also Speaking, the community youth leader, Chief Jimoh Olorunsogo disclosed that Olakunle was bearing the Asiwaju title before the advent of Sogaolu.
He noted that since Soagaolu has yet to be declared by the court as the authentic Oba, he has no legal right to suspend Chief Olalekan as Asiwaju.
Olorunsosgo stressed that the entire youths of Orile-Imo are in support of Chief Olalekan.
Baale’s present were: Chief Kola Olayiwola (Jibowu village), Adeboye Sofela( Erofo village) , Jimoh Ogunjuwon ( Oloja Oke) among others
