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Although the Ataoja of Osogbo,Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun’s distance from the APC in Osun is not officially declared as “hatred for APC”political watchers within the state however know the issues are far bigger than that .For almost 8 years now ,the narrative has been about the Ataoja’s hatred for the All Progressives Congress right from the time of former governor,Oyetola while his open support for current Gov.Adeleke, is well scripted.
The argument is that, being a first class King ,Oba Olanipekun should not be seen to be partisan but an Oba for all.These assumptions by many, especially the APC supporters is one of the issues being discussed as the August 15 gubernatorial election in the state beckons.But why all these allegations against the Ataoja? Is it true…if true ,what are the Ataoja’s reasons for this open support for Gov. Adeleke’s second term bid and alleged resentment for the APC and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji AMBO? Before now,the Ataoja himself had said his actions are not without reasons.
In a meeting with the APC governorship candidate for 2026 poll, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji “AMBO”, he stated “I don’t just behave the way I do without reason. There are issues behind my actions and Oyetola knows them”
Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is a prominent APC leader in Osun. The monarch said some of his past “outbursts” and displeasure came from frustration over those unresolved issues.
The Ataoja has publicly endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party for a second term.
At an event in 2025, he declared “Osogbo will stand for Imole” Adeleke’s slogan.He also told President Bola Tinubu during a visit to Aso Rock that he was particular on the Adeleke ticket.That is how brazen the Ataoja can be.Those who know him say he openly campaigns for Adeleke and rooted to his resolve to not supporting the APC candidate, AMBO as the next Osun governor.
There was a time the Ataoja alleged that his Palace was attacked by “APC thugs” because of his open support for Adeleke.
The Ataoja said “my Palace was attacked. I was obviously the target, all because of our support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election. This is political bitterness taken too far”.
The APC Osun chapter promptly denied it and called for investigation but that incident deepened the rift.
The Ataoja says his criticisms are about development, not hatred.He has praised projects done by the Adeleke administration, like the Osogbo flyover, and wants Osogbo to benefit from the sitting government. However,there are pressures on the Oba to remain neutral.
Some Osogbo groups like the Osun Progressive Union OPU and Oroki United Front have cautioned him to stay neutral and not drag the stool into partisan politics.
They argue monarchs should be “fathers to all” like the Ooni, Orangun of Ila etc.
The APC and some commentators also criticize his “politically intolerant” posture and say he should not “burn the bridge” with APC because politics changes. The monarch however maintains he harbors no hatred towards anyone and that his outbursts were borne out of frustration rather than personal animosity.He also said he wants people to stop “badmouthing me”adding “what exactly is my offence?
Here’s a breakdown of the major events that led to the current rift between the Ataoja of Osogbo and the Osun APC.
During the July 2022 Guber Election, PDP’s Ademola Adeleke defeated APC’s Adegboyega Oyetola,Osogbo, the state capital and Ataoja’s domain, voted massively for Adeleke.After the election, the Ataoja was seen openly celebrating with the new PDP government. APC members accused him of partisanship.In mid 2023, APC Osun issued a statement accusing the Ataoja of giving an “illegal directive” to non-indigenes in Osogbo amid political tension.The Ataoja’s wife/spokesperson, Kafayat Oyetunji, immediately fired back. She said “The Ataoja has never been known to engage in any political activity that would breach the constitutional roles of his office. The directive was aimed at maintaining peace, adding that politicians should desist from using the Ataoja for their political gains and that the statement by the Osun State chapter of the APC is not only an affront to the Ataoja but the whole Osogbo people.And perhaps the most notable is during the commissioning of the newly constructed flyover in Osogbo by Gov. Adeleke.
At the event, the Ataoja allegedly urged Osogbo indigenes to vote for Adeleke again. That statement seem to have been the last straw to break the Camel’s back.
The Osogbo Progressive Union OPU cautioned monarchs against endorsing candidates, saying “monarchs ought to represent the collective interests of the people and be publicly neutral”.
OPU President Amb. AbdulRasaq Siyanbola said “The Ataoja of Osogbo has an unfettered right to his opinion.However, personal opinion must be separated from the collective decision of the people of Osogbo”.
A few days ago, the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji “AMBO”, led a campaign visit to the Ataoja’s palace.At the meeting the Ataoja clarified some of his statements…he said “I don’t hate anyone, my outbursts were due to frustration. He also praised AMBO as “Omoluabi to the core” but also said: “I don’t just behave the way I do without reason. There are issues behind my actions and Oyetola knows them”.
He added: “I am not a politician, but people always wait for what I will say. What exactly is my offence” while insisting that his criticisms were about his quest for development for Osogbo.
It was also alleged that Kabiesi did not like how Rauf Aregbesola was treated by the APC when he was leaving office as governor, because they both share a strong bond.
There were also past tension between President Tinubu and the Ataoja when the Ataoja came to seek support for Oyetola’s second term, but the tension actually stemmed from comments Tinubu made during a 2018 visit when he was an APC national leader, following the monarch’s public demands for the release of withheld local government funds in Osun State.
Tinubu defended the integrity of his party’s candidate. He said Osun did not have his or Oyetola’s kind of money and that he had no reason to loot the state treasury. Opponents heavily twisted that comment, causing temporary backlash and protests, though Tinubu’s camp quickly clarified that he meant no disrespect to the monarch or the people of Osogbo.
By that time, it was already too little, too late.
This sparked political debates and drew criticism from opposing parties in the state .
How the results of the August 15 elections pans out remains to be seen.
Isaac Abimbade
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