BREAKING: MAKINDE ELEVATES 14 OYO HIGH CHIEFS TO OBA STATUS AMID SUPREME COURT DISPUTE

MAKINDE ELEVATES 14 OYO HIGH CHIEFS TO OBA STATUS AMID SUPREME COURT DISPUTE


Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday elevated 14 High Chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas, presenting them with Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office at a coronation ceremony held in Oyo West Local Government Area.

The ceremony was conducted on behalf of the governor by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, at Oliveth Heights in Oyo town. The event attracted traditional rulers, political office holders, and other dignitaries from across the state.

The newly elevated monarchs include Oba David Oyediran, Alaaguo of Aguoland; Oba Afonja Mukaila, Baba Eyaji of Oyo; Oba Samuel Odurinde, Alajagba of Oyo; Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye, Ona-Isokun of Oyo; Oba Fakayode Alowonle, Onimileke of Imileke; Oba Salawu Oyeniran, Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu; Oba Olaniyi Adegboye, Oloodu of Ojongbodu; Oba Tijani Ajeigbe, Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara; Oba Oyeleke Yusuff, Onidode of Idodeland; Oba Lamidi Jimoh, Iba Samu of Oyo Empire; Oba Ganiyu Busari, Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land; Oba Asimiyu Jimoh, Agbaaki of Oyo; Oba Jimoh Oyeleye, Alakeitan of Akeitan; and Oba Abel Oyekan, Elepe of Iseke.

In a speech delivered by his deputy, Governor Makinde said the elevation underscored his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots. He described the ascension of the chiefs as a recognition of their leadership roles and reaffirmed the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, cultural preservation, conflict resolution, and community development.

The governor urged the newly crowned Obas to uphold integrity, fairness, and inclusiveness in their domains, noting that traditional rulers remain custodians of culture and vital partners in progress.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, described the event as historic and culturally significant. He said the Yoruba traditional institution remains central to governance and unity in Oyo land, adding that the beaded crown symbolizes authority, service, and responsibility.

Dignitaries at the event included the Rashidi Ladoja, represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; lawmakers from the Oyo geopolitical zone; and other government officials.

The development comes amid a pending legal dispute at the Supreme Court of Nigeria concerning the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy. In a motion on notice dated January 30, 2026, filed under Appeal No. SC/404/2018, the Alaafin of Oyo is seeking interlocutory and mandatory injunctions restraining the Oyo State Government from creating, recognising, or elevating the Baale Ago-Oja stool pending the determination of an appeal before the apex court.

The suit was originally instituted by the late Lamidi Adeyemi III. According to court filings, the applicant is asking the court to restrain the governor and the Attorney-General of Oyo State from appointing or recognising Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as holder of the stool and from elevating the chieftaincy from Part III (Minor Chief) to Part II (Recognised Chief). The motion also seeks to set aside Oyo State Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50 of January 17, 2025, as it relates to the elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy.

As of the time of filing this report, the appeal and accompanying motion are yet to be fixed for hearing, and the state government has not issued a fresh public statement on the pending court action.

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