MAKINDE ELEVATES 14 OYO HIGH CHIEFS TO OBAS, PRESENTS STAFF OF OFFICE
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Seyi Makinde on Friday elevated 14 High Chiefs and Baales in Oyo to the status of crown-wearing Obas, presenting them with Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office.
The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, presented the official regalia on behalf of Makinde during a colourful coronation ceremony held at Oliveth Heights in Oyo West Local Government Area.
The newly elevated monarchs include:
- Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran
- Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila
- Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde
- Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye
- Onimileke of Imileke, Oba Fakayode Alowonle
- Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu, Oba Salawu Oyeniran
- Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye
- Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe
- Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff
- Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh
- Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari
- Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh
- Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye
- Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan
The ceremony highlighted the state government’s commitment to recognising and empowering traditional institutions as pillars of community development and cultural heritage.
Seyi Makinde, whose speech was delivered by his deputy, stated that the elevation of the chiefs highlights his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and fostering peace and development at the grassroots level.
He congratulated the newly crowned monarchs, describing their ascension to the status of crown-wearing Obas as both a recognition of their leadership and a reaffirmation of the enduring importance of traditional institutions in governance, peacebuilding, and community development.
“The State Government holds traditional rulers in high esteem because of their roles as custodians of culture, promoters of unity, and partners in progress,” the governor said.
“I urge all the newly crowned monarchs to uphold integrity, fairness, and dedicated service to their people. Your reigns should be marked by peace, inclusiveness, and support for government programmes aimed at enhancing citizens’ welfare in your domains,” the governor said.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, described the ceremony as both historic and culturally significant. He noted that it represented not only the installation of royal fathers but also a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and enduring traditions.
Ojo highlighted that the Yoruba traditional institution, one of the oldest and most revered in Africa, remains central to governance, culture, and unity in Oyo land.
“The beaded crown is a sacred symbol of authority, service, and divine responsibility, and those who wear it are called to lead with integrity, courage, and compassion,” he said.
The commissioner commended Governor Makinde for approving and sponsoring the programme, adding that the simultaneous coronation of 14 Obas symbolised unity, continuity, and renewal within Oyo land.
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He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers to promote conflict resolution, cultural preservation, and community mobilisation.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; members of the 10th Oyo Assembly from the Oyo geopolitical zone; senior government officials; and prominent political leaders.
The Media reports that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has been asked to restrain the Oyo State Government from creating, recognising, or elevating the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy stool pending the outcome of an ongoing appeal.
In a motion filed on January 30, 2026, under Appeal No. SC/404/2018, the Alaafin of Oyo is seeking interlocutory and mandatory injunctions against the Governor and the Attorney-General of Oyo State.
The motion, filed pursuant to Order 2 Rule 28(1) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2014 (as amended), and the inherent powers of the court under Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, aims to halt all actions relating to the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy until the appeal is finally determined.
The suit was originally instituted by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The Alaafin is asking the apex court to prevent the governor and attorney-general from “creating or re-creating, establishing or re-establishing the chieftaincy stool of Baale Ago-Oja” and from “appointing, approving, or recognising” Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as its holder.
He is also seeking an order restraining the state government from “recognising or further recognising, dealing or further dealing with” Busari as Baale Ago-Oja, and from elevating the chieftaincy from Part III (Minor Chief) to Part II (Recognised Chief).
Additionally, the applicant wants the court to prevent the respondents from “installing or crowning the appellant as the Oloja of Ago-Oja on February 13, 2026, at Oliveth High School, Oyo, or at any other venue.”
The motion also asks the Supreme Court of Nigeria to set aside Oyo State Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50 of January 17, 2025, “insofar as it relates to the elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy.”
According to the motion, “any attempt to revive, recognise, or elevate a chieftaincy stool already declared non-existent by courts of competent jurisdiction amounts to a disregard of subsisting judgments and could prejudice the appeal currently pending before this Honourable Court.”
The applicant further urged the apex court to “grant the reliefs sought and make such other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit in the circumstances of this case.”
The appeal and the accompanying motion have not yet been scheduled for hearing.
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