Royal Rumble: Alaafin weighs litigation over Oyo council leadership

There are strong indications that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, may head to court to challenge the emergence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, as Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday inaugurated Ladoja as the chairman of the council.

But Alaafin shunned the event held at the House of Chiefs Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

The inauguration followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly.

Speaking during the event, Makinde said the chairmanship of the council will be rotational among the trio of Olubadan, Alaafin, and Soun of Ogbomosoland, with each leader serving a term of two years.

Meanwhile, credible sources close to the palace told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that Alaafin deliberately stayed away from the inauguration out of what they described as “shame,” and may likely challenge the outcome in court.

“There is a tendency that the Alaafin will go to court. The late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, also went to court. The late Alaafin was the permanent chairman of the Oyo State traditional council, and he stated this clearly in all his letters. Nobody challenged him,” one of the insiders  said.

Explaining Oba Owoade’s absence from the inauguration, the insider added, “I know the steps the current Alaafin is likely to take. If he had attended the inauguration, it would have been shameful. It was better he didn’t go. He is likely to go to court, although that may change if there is an intervention.”

Another insider knowledgeable about the workings at the Alaafin’s palace, corroborated the claim, saying the monarch was bearing the burden of actions taken during the reign of his predecessor.

“During Baba Lamidi Adeyemi’s time, he was involved in Ladoja’s impeachment. Since then, Ladoja has been angry with Alaafin stool but couldn’t do anything then.

“Now that he has become the Olubadan and Baba has passed on, he has decided to take it out on the new Alaafin. But he didn’t realise that this Alaafin is not that soft,” he added.

The source further alleged that political interests were also at play.

Efforts to get the Director, Media, and Public Affairs to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Adeola Oloko, proved abortive as he didn’t answer calls and had yet to respond to messages sent to his mobile phone as of the time of filing this report.

Similarly, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, declined to comment on the matter.

He said, “Capital no comment,” when contacted. (Punch)