A socio-cultural group, Igbimon Omoluabi Offa, has called on the President of the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU), Alhaji Muideen Salako, to apologise unreservedly and step down from his position over what it described as acts of “disrespect, partisanship, and sacrilege” against the Offa Kingdom.
The Offa Descendants’ Union, founded in 1943, is a respected socio-cultural organisation representing the interests of Offa sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora. It has long served as a bridge between the community and government, promoting education, culture, and development in Kwara State’s ancient Offa Kingdom.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Olaniyi Mohammed, the group accused Salako of bringing “more shame than fame” to Offa land through his alleged political bias and disregard for traditional authority.
“For the first time in our proud history, ODU has been politicised.It has become a partisan wing of the ruling All Progressives Congress under Salako’s leadership,”Mohammed said.
He alleged that the union, which had always maintained neutrality, was manipulated to endorse political candidates and suppress opposing voices.
According to him, the group frustrated the Channels Television Offa Local Government Chairmanship Debate because Salako’s preferred candidate lacked “the quality, courage, and competence to face the people.”
The statement further accused Salako of congratulating candidates allegedly imposed by the Kwara State Government without elections, describing it as “a shameless endorsement of an undemocratic process.”
Igbimon Omoluabi Offa also cited Salako’s frequent clashes with respected elders, including the Asiwaju of Offa, Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, and his alleged interference in the Ijakadi Festival, which nearly caused a boycott by notable Offa elites.
The group condemned what it called Salako’s “sacrilegious” claim of being “second in command” after the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, saying the statement was “a direct affront to the throne and the entire traditional council.”
“To dismiss the Olofa’s development retreat and distance ODU from such a royal initiative is arrogance of the highest order. It is an unforgivable sin against the soul of Offa,”the group stated.
The statement also alleged that Salako unlawfully removed ODU’s national secretary, defended government actions deemed anti-people, and failed to invest in the community he leads.
“The evidence is overwhelming. The sins are grievous. For peace and dignity to return, Alhaji Salako must apologise to the Olofa and resign,” Mohammed insisted.
He added that the Olofa’s stool “must never be toyed with,” warning that “to disrespect it is to court the wrath of history and the ancestors of Offa land.”
