Uyai-Abasi Etido
Some aggrieved youths on Thursday, burnt down the Palace of Aree of Iree in Boripe North Local Council Development Area of Osun State.
The palace was vandalized and burnt when the traditional ruler, Oba Ponle Ademola, was said to be out of the palace at about 7:00pm by youths who were not happy about the arrest of the Aogun of Iree, Chief Soliu Atoyebi, by security agents on Thursday morning.
Recall that Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, had on Monday a day after his inauguration, issued an Executive Order, setting aside the appointment and enthronement of three traditional rulers, Aare of Iree; Akirun of Ikirun and Owa of Igbajo.
Adeleke also directed that the palaces of the three traditional rulers should be locked up, while security agents should take charge of the palaces to the prevent breakdown of law and order.
There had been palpable fear in Iree Town following the appointment and approval of Prince Ponle Ademola as the Aree of Iree by the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola.
Some ruling houses and groups in the town had rejected the selection of Ademola, alleging that he was imposed on the people by officials in the Oyetola’s administration.