The Alasi of Asi in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Oyewale Olasunkanmi Isaac, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has threatened his life.
According to the traditional ruler, tensions escalated following a recent incident involving the collision of a car belonging to one of his subjects with a vehicle owned by Speaker Egbedun. Despite his attempts to mediate the situation, the monarch claims the Speaker has persistently misused his political influence.
“The driver of my subject’s vehicle was arrested and taken first to Ilesa, and then later transferred to Osogbo,” the monarch explained. “I intervened because both the Speaker and the individual involved are my subjects. However, the Speaker wrongly accused me of orchestrating an attack against him, which is entirely false.”
Oba Oyewale further revealed that the situation has taken a dangerous turn, stating that his life is now under serious threat. “He threatened to bathe me in my own blood. I have already submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, and I understand that some preliminary steps have been taken. However, the abuse of office and power by Speaker Egbedun must not be overlooked,” the monarch asserted.
Central to the controversy is a leaked audio recording, which surfaced on social media and has since gone viral. The three-minute clip, purportedly a telephone conversation between Speaker Egbedun and a relative of the monarch, contains threats allegedly issued by the lawmaker.
In the audio, a voice alleged to be Egbedun’s states: “This is Speaker Egbedun on the line. I want you to tell him, it seems the king is cursed. I was attacked, and he was talking rubbish. I’ve been avoiding him. If he comes to Asi, I’ll make sure he is beaten, his crown removed, and he is sent to Ilesa. If he is near you, let him hear this. What is my offence? He keeps disrespecting me and I’ve kept quiet. If he values his life, he should not come to Asi today.”
In response to the allegations and public outcry, Speaker Adewale Egbedun issued a statement dismissing the monarch’s claims. He alleged instead that the Alasi of Asi is the one inciting hostility against him.
Egbedun claimed that about three weeks ago, his convoy was attacked by suspected thugs, and although security forces arrested one of the culprits, the monarch allegedly began placing calls to him, urging him to stop the arraignment of the apprehended suspect and discouraging further arrests.
Egbedun further accused the traditional ruler of attempting to sabotage his rising popularity in the Odo-Otin constituency. “His actions are a calculated effort to intimidate and silence me, but I will not be cowed,” the Speaker declared.
As both parties continue to trade accusations, the incident has drawn significant public interest, sparking broader concerns over the misuse of political office, the safety of traditional rulers, and the potential for escalating tensions within Osun State.