Our highly respected senior colleague, Bobagunwa Remi Oyeyemi just penned an article that indirectly accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of an igbonisation agenda in the governance of Osun state. This little piece would not have been necessary but because Bobagunwa’s piece is already in public domain.
The post by our tested media chief identified two examples namely an interview by the Governor in Igbo language granted the BBC Igbo service. The second one was a letter on trademark issues concerning the coverage of the upcoming Osun Osogbo festival from a consultant engaged by the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, the organizer of Osun Osogbo. In both cases, the writer in very strong language, insinuated disrespect for Yoruba culture and people by the State Governor.
With all due respect, it appears our old boss did not dig deeper into the matter well to get the total picture before rushing to conclusions. The hasty insinuation of Igbonisation was built on false narratives and a misunderstanding of the mandate holder with respect to Osun Osogbo. A phone call to friends of Bobagunwa in government would have shed more light on the matter and ensure informed commentary.
Let me start with the Igbo interview on BBC. Governor Adeleke had granted several interviews on BBC Yoruba. He has talked to several media platforms in Yoruba language including key radio stations in Osun State. How Bobagunwa did not listen to any of those interviews except the Igbo BBC interview is puzzling.
Is there a crime for a state Governor whose mother is Igbo granting an interview to Igbo BBC service? What was he saying in the interview? Mr Governor was narrating what he met on ground and how he is delivering good governance in Osun State. Is that wrong? Don’t we have Igbo voters in Osun State? Don’t we have Osun indigenes across Igbo land? Considering Bobagunwa’s cosmopolitan outlook, he was evidently wrong on this note.
On the allegation that an Igbo media consultant was engaged to handle the Osun Osogbo event, certain clarifications are pertinent here. First, the Osun State Government is not the organizer of Osun Osogbo. The palace of Ataoja is the custodian. Mr Oyeyemi can reconfirm this reality.
It is baseless and disrespectful to our royal father to allege that the Governor teleguided the palace to appoint an Igbo man as consultant. These are wild, unfounded accusations. The Palace of Ataoja is the custodian of Osun Osogbo. The role of the state government is mostly supportive in terms of financing and logistics support.
Much more important is the content of the letter in question. If the organizer of an event has trademarked and copyrighted content as the Palace of Ataoja has done, the best the government can do is to intervene where necessary to ensure free media, free speech and observance of fundamental rights of the citizens if such are infringed or likely to be tampered with. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is due to make a statement on the matter.
I however found it strange that Mr Oyeyemi could level such strong allegations without seeking or knowing the full truth. He crafted his piece as an accuser and judge without any pretense to fair trial. The only Igbo man serving as Adviser in the state government was born and bred here at Osogbo with thriving businesses employing many families. He is not even a cabinet member.
There is no basis or justification for the false flag of Igbonisation raised by Mr Oyeyemi. The two points mentioned are simply twisted to portray alleged favoritism for Igbo people where there is none.
In the case of Mr Governor, he is too urbane, open minded, nationalistic and detribalised to engage in such frivolity. Bobagunwa himself can testify to that reality.
● Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke, writes from Osogbo.
