Osun Assembly Commended for Repealing ‘State of Osun’ Law

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The General Overseer of Sufficient Grace International Christian Church, Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun State, Bishop Seun Adeoye, has commended the state House of Assembly for repealing the ‘State of Osun’ law after 13 years of its existence.

The human activist cum cleric in a statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital yesterday also lauded Kanmi Ajibola who had approached the court of law over the reordering of the name of Osun State to ‘State of Osun’.

The Lead Bishop of the Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC) in Nigeria also commended the Civil Societies Coalition of Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) and the media for standing up with the people during the struggle to put things in the right perspective in the state.

He stated: “I knew all the efforts of Ajibola. We were always in court together over this matter. He spent his time, energy and resources without help from anyone.

“It was a great day for all of us from his chamber on December 14, 2017, when the judgment was delivered by Justice Yinka Afolabi of the state High Court, Ilesa jurisdiction when he declared ‘State of Osun’ as illegal, void and unconstitutional.

“The then Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s government went ahead to appeal the case at the Appeal Court in Akure, Ondo State. Ajibola never relented despite the fact that the state hired about six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

“Interestingly, Ajibola is a member of the House of Assembly representing Oriade constituency when the decision to repeal the 2012 law which renamed Osun State to State of Osun, and other laws relating to the state anthem, crest, flag, and logo were reached.

“I also knew the efforts of CSCEOS members because I was one of them, and the support of the media for this struggle was tremendous.”

Bishop Adeoye further lauded the Assemblymen for listening to the yearnings of the populace by reverting to the state acronym of ‘State of the Livingspring’ from ‘State of Virtues’ known as Ipinle Omoluabi as preferred by Aregbesola.

The cleric cautioned political officeholders to understand that power is transitory, and the misuse of it may have consequences in the future.