The political atmosphere in Osun State has been thrown into tension following mounting calls for the arrest, prosecution, and removal from office of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olumide Wale Egbedun. The Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), a civil society organisation, has demanded decisive action against the Speaker over allegations that he threatened the life of a traditional ruler.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Convener, Dr. Akande Adeyemi, the group urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, to launch an immediate probe into the incident. The organisation described Egbedun’s alleged conduct as “an act of rascality of the highest order” that undermines both democracy and cultural heritage.
The controversy began after a leaked audio recording surfaced on July 23, in which a voice, alleged to be that of Speaker Egbedun, was heard issuing a series of threats to the Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi Isaac (Akorede I). The monarch had earlier petitioned security authorities on July 29, citing fears for his safety after the audio circulated widely. In the clip, the Speaker allegedly told the royal father in Yoruba:
“I will jail you, I swear. I’ll ensure you rot there. You think being a king gives you power over me? I’ll deal with you, and if you’re not careful, you won’t leave that place alive.”
The inflammatory remarks have sparked outrage across Osun State, with many residents, community leaders, and advocacy groups condemning what they see as a dangerous escalation of political arrogance. OYIGG stressed that such language, if confirmed, represents not only a direct personal threat but also an affront to the dignity of traditional institutions that have long been central to the state’s cultural identity.
Dr. Adeyemi insisted that Speaker Egbedun must face legal and political consequences, arguing that his actions “go beyond private misconduct” and constitute “an assault on the rule of law.” The group accused him of displaying a pattern of reckless behavior, citing past incidents in which the Speaker allegedly disrespected or harassed prominent figures. These include reports of a public confrontation with the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, earlier this year, alleged harassment of a senator’s aide in Ilesa, and a heated verbal threat directed at Hon. Musubai in Odo-Otin.
Beyond this, OYIGG also alleged that the Speaker has on several occasions made disparaging remarks against respected monarchs, including the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Laaroye II. The group further accused him of branding Governor Adeleke’s political adviser, Alhaji Muniru Raji, and some royal figures as “thieves” supposedly involved in illegal land sales. According to the organisation, these repeated actions show “a consistent pattern of abuse of office and disregard for institutions of authority.”
Calling for his immediate impeachment, OYIGG appealed directly to the chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, to rally other royal fathers in defense of their dignity. “We call on our revered Royal Fathers not to allow arrogant politicians like Egbedun to desecrate the sacred stools of our ancestors,” the group stated, warning against any attempts to trivialize the matter.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as subtle attempts by the Osun State Government to shield the Speaker from accountability. It alleged that certain officials were pressuring traditional rulers with threats of possible dethronement if they dared to speak out. “We are aware that the state government is trying to intimidate traditional rulers by threatening them with dethronement,” OYIGG claimed, cautioning the government against further interference.
The organisation emphasized that swift intervention by security agencies is the only way to reassure citizens that justice will be served and that Osun’s democratic and traditional systems remain protected. “No one is above the law. This is a defining moment for our state. The Speaker must be investigated, prosecuted, and if found guilty, removed from office to restore public confidence,” Dr. Adeyemi declared.
As public debate intensifies, all eyes are now on the police, the DSS, and the Osun State House of Assembly to determine whether the Speaker will face impeachment proceedings or criminal charges in what has become one of the most controversial political scandals in the state in recent years.
