The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanilekun Larooye III, has declared his resolve to reclaim the fourth-ranking position in the hierarchy of monarchs in Osun State, which he said rightly belongs to the Ataoja throne.
Speaking at a lecture organised to mark his 15th coronation anniversary at Osun State University, Osogbo, the monarch recounted how the seat was lost during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III, who travelled abroad when the Oluwo of Iwo was elevated into the position.
Oba Larooye maintained that history places the Ataoja as the fourth most senior monarch in the state, adding that his current moves are not targeted at any traditional ruler but to restore what he described as the “rightful place” of the throne.
He said:
“My father, King Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III, travelled abroad, and before he returned, they moved his seat aside and placed the Oluwo there. That was how the Oluwo got to the fourth position. The fourth position belongs to Ataoja. That was what I met. What I told journalists was that, since the person before me was in the fourth position, that was the position I was occupying. But they changed what I said. Since then, I have been silent on the matter, not knowing the way forward. I am taking steps underground, but there is no way we will cook inside, and the flame will not show outside. I am not fighting any king, but the seat of the Ataoja is fourth in Osun.”
The monarch reaffirmed his determination to continue underground consultations until the traditional order is restored.
