I’m still Iyaloja General of Osun – Asindemade counters Gov Adeleke

The former Iyaloja General of Osun State, Awawu Asindemade has insisted that she cannot be removed from office.

Asindemade also maintained that her group is a Non-Governmental Organisation which she founded by herself.

Earlier reported that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke had in a statement on Thursday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed announced the appointment of a new Iyaloja General for the state.

The new Iyaloja General, Oyebode Aderonke Mary was described by the governor as a strong leader of business women in the state.

Adeleke also noted that Oyebode has contributed immensely to the growth and development of commerce in Osun.

Reacting to her replacement, Asindemade said, “They only removed themselves and not me, I am not bothered by that development, because they can’t stop me from being the Iyaloja General, rather the one appointed as the new Iyaloja General is for the PDP.

“I am still the Iyaloja General in Osun, while the new appointee is PDP’s Iyaloja General. It is no problem if the government decides not to relate with us, we have a government at the federal level.”

Asindemade also insisted that her position was not for specific tenure, adding that the state government had no power to remove an Iyaloja General.

“My position as Iyaloja General is not for a specific tenure. The government has no power to remove Iyaloja General. Our group is a Non-governmental Organization. I was the one that founded it,” she said.

Asindemade was appointed to the office of Iyaloja General by the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

The Adegboyega Oyetola administration still accorded her the recognition throughout its tenure but trouble started for Awawu Asindemade when the Ademola Adeleke administration came into office on November 27, 2022.

In February, 2023, it was alleged that state government officials raided her home and carted away official vehicles in her possession and 31 other iyalojas in the state.

She was alleged to have attended the February 2, 2023, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Osun at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo.

The raid on her home also led to a shouting match between the Osun Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the APC.