Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday elevated 14 high chiefs and baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing obas with the presentation of staffs of office and instruments of office.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, presented the Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office on behalf of Makinde at a colorful coronation ceremony held at the premises of Oliveth Heights in the Oyo West Local Government Area of the state.
The newly elevated monarchs include the Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke, Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu, Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye; and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe.
Others are the Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; and the Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan.
Makinde, whose speech was delivered by his deputy, stated that the elevation of the chiefs demonstrated his administration’s dedication to strengthening traditional institutions and supporting peace and development at the grassroots.
He welcomed the newly crowned monarchs, stating that their elevation to the rank of crown-wearing Obas was both an acknowledgment of their leadership and a reaffirmation of traditional institutions’ continued role in governance, peacebuilding, and grassroots community development.
Makinde said, “The state government holds traditional rulers in high esteem because of their roles as custodians of culture, promoters of unity, and partners in progress.”
“I want to urge you all (the monarchs) to uphold integrity, fairness, and service to your people. Your reigns should be characterized by peace, inclusiveness, and support for government programs aimed at improving citizens’ welfare in their domains,” Makinde added.
In his welcome address, Ademola Ojo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, described the event as historic and culturally significant, stating that it marked more than simply the installation of royal fathers but also a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and long traditions.
He stated that the Yoruba traditional institution, one of Africa’s oldest and most renowned, remains important to administration, culture, and unity in Oyo state.
“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.”
The commissioner praised the governor for allowing and financing the event, noting that the coronation of 14 Obas represented unity, continuity, and rebirth in Oyo state.
He underlined the government’s commitment to working more closely with traditional rulers to resolve conflicts, preserve culture, and mobilize communities.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; former Speaker of the state Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; members of the 10th Oyo Assembly from the Oyo geopolitical zone; top government functionaries; and political leaders were among those who attended.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, has been asked to restrain the state government from creating, recognizing, or elevating the chieftaincy stool of Baale Ago-Oja, pending the determination of an appeal before it.
In a move on notice dated January 30, 2026, filed in Appeal No. SC/404/2018, the Alaafin of Oyo seeks interlocutory and obligatory injunctions against the Governor of Oyo State and the Attorney General of Oyo State.
The request, filed under Order 2 Rule 28(1) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2014 (as modified), and the court’s inherent powers under Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, seeks to freeze all acts relating to the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy awaiting the ultimate conclusion of the appeal.
The claim was filed by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The Alaafin prayed the apex court to restrain the governor and the attorney-general from “creating or re-creating, establishing or re-establishing the chieftaincy stool of Baale Ago-Oja” and from “appointing, approving, or recognizing” Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as holder of the stool.
He is also requesting an injunction prohibiting the state government from “recognizing or further recognizing, dealing or further dealing with” Busari as Baale Ago-Oja, as well as any elevation of the chieftaincy from Part III (Minor Chief) to Part II (Recognized Chief).
In addition, the applicant is requesting that the court prevent the respondents from “installing or crowning the appellant as the Oloja of Ago-Oja on February 13, 2026, at Olivet High School, Oyo, or at any other venue whatsoever.”
The motion also asks the Supreme Court to overturn Oyo State Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50, dated January 17, 2025, “in so far as it relates to the elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy.”
According to the motion, “any attempt to revive, recognize, or elevate a chieftaincy stool already declared non-existent by courts of competent jurisdiction amounts to a disregard of subsisting judgments and is capable of prejudicing the appeal now pending before this Honourable Court.”
The applicant therefore prayed the supreme court to “grant the reliefs sought and make such further orders as this Honorable Court may deem fit in the circumstances of this case.”
The appeal and accompanying motion have yet to be scheduled for hearing.
