Two traditional rulers in Osun State who were recently elevated to part II Obas by Governor Ademola Adeleke, have cried out over an alleged attempt by some officials of the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to reverse their appointments.
The monarchs – Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon, Oba Adebisi Mukaila Michael, and Onirante of Irante, Oba Ogundele Olasunkanmi Mathew, according to a letter by their counsel, Sulaiman Akano, were elevated to part II Obas during the state executive council meeting held on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The letter which was addressed to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, stated that the monarchs, before their elevation, were community chiefs (Baale) under the Akinfin traditional council in the Boluwaduro local government.
According to documents obtained, the two monarchs paid the sum of N500,000 each to the cover of the state government as payments for the presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment.
However, it was gathered that a few days after the monarchs were given appointment letters and presented staff of office, they were informed of plan by some staff of the Ministry of Local Government to reverse the appointments.
The monarchs, in the letter dated September 23, urged the state governor to wade in and restrain those planning to reverse his directive.
The letter reads in part, “After our clients have been duly screened and cleared by both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Abere, Osun
State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke approved the
elevation of our client to Part Il (Recognised Status) under the Chief’s Law (Cap.
25) Laws of Osun State 2002 at the exco meeting held on the 12th day of September, 2025.
“Our clients were given
the appointment letters dated 15th day of September, 2025. And our clients were
subsequently presented staff of office on the 16th day of September, 2025.
“The elevation and appointment of our client to Part Il (Recognised Status)
were subsequently gazetted in the Osun State of Nigeria Gazette on the 18th day
of September, 2025.
“That recently our client heard a rumour that the Oluresi of Iresi Land is conspiring
with some staff of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs,
Abere, Osun State to reverse the appointment and elevation of our client to Part
Il Chiefs (Recognised Status), which was duly approved by Governor Adeleke.”
The monarch stated that the move, if not immediately stopped, could lead to unrest between the communities.
“The appointment and elevation of our client was well accepted by their people in their respective towns. And to reverse or cancel the said appointment by the Oluresi of Iresi or the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Title may cause a communal crisis between the two towns.
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“That in order to avoid an imminent communal crisis that may degenerate from.the
purported conspiracy between the Oturest of Irest and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Title Affairs, we are appealing on behalf of our client to you to caution and restrain the Oluresi of Iresi and Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs from reversing or cancelling the appointment
and elevation of our clients,” the letter added.
The counsel said the monarchs would not hesitate to take “legal action against all the
necessary parties that may be involved in this conspiracy,” if the matter is not resolved.
