Group calls for immediate arrest of Osun Assembly Speaker over threats to traditional ruler

The Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance, OYIGG has called for the immediate arrest and impeachment of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun

The call was made following allegations of threats issued against a traditional ruler in the state.

This demand stems from the emergence of a leaked audio recording in which Speaker Egbedun was allegedly heard threatening the Alasi of Asi, in Odo-Otin local government area, Oba Oyewale Isaac.

In a press statement released by OYIGG and signed by its National Convener, Dr Akande Adeyemi, the group called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and prosecute the Speaker.

Dr Adeyemi stated, “The threat represents a serious breach of democratic principles and a blatant act of intimidation against traditional authority. This is unacceptable in a democratic society.”

While revealing that the alleged conduct of the Speaker has drawn widespread condemnation across the state, Adeyemi described it as part of a pattern of misconduct attributed to Speaker Egbedun in recent times.

The group recalled an earlier incident in which Speaker Egbedun was accused of ignoring the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi at a public event.

“No one is above the law,” the group said. “This is not just a personal attack on a royal father but a threat to our democratic and cultural institutions. The Speaker must be held accountable for his words and actions.”

“Power is transient. We urge Egbedun to reflect on his behaviour before further damaging his political reputation and the traditional values of the Osun people,” Dr Adeyemi added.

OYIGG also urged the state government to refrain from interfering in the matter, warning that attempts to suppress traditional rulers would be firmly resisted by civil society and the wider public.

“We are aware that the state government is trying to shut the state traditional rulers, threatening monarchs with dethronement,” the group alleged in the statement.

The group also demanded the Speaker’s removal from office, stating, “We demand for the Speaker’s impeachment and call on relevant security agencies to swiftly take action in the interest of justice and good governance.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Osun State, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, has called on the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, to resign over the allegation.

Dr Odeyemi described Egbedun’s reaction as embarrassing and shameful, insisting that it was unjustifiable for the Speaker to speak in such a manner to a royal father.

“My thoughts when I first listened to the audio was that his phone was cloned. But when I read his response this morning where he admitted to having been the one, I was surprised,” he said.

Odeyemi stated that no matter the provocation, Egbedun should have used proper channels to lodge a complaint rather than resorting to insolent and childish acts.

He also noted that as a Yoruba man, Egbedun ought to have demonstrated some respect for the throne.

He criticised the Speaker for allegedly ridiculing the state and setting a poor example for young people in politics.

“He is ruining the chances of youth, not only in Osun State, but in Nigeria. Such behaviour could erode public trust in younger leaders,” he warned.

While calling on political stakeholders to speak up, Odeyemi said, “The honourable thing for Egbedun to do now is to step aside. He hasn’t shown any sign of remorse. Leaders of thoughts should rise fast and lend their voices to this call. Osun belongs to all of us.”

Earlier, Oba Oyewale Isaac had submitted a formal petition to the Zone XI Police Command in Osogbo, accusing the Speaker of threatening to kill him, strip him of his crown, and remand him in the Ilesa Correctional Centre.

In response, Speaker Egbedun issued a statement denying the allegations and claiming that the monarch had attempted to intimidate him and interfere with an ongoing police investigation, while maintaining that he held the traditional institution in high regard.