Makinde slashes Alaafin’s dominance, promotes 14 Oyo high chiefs to Obas

In a reported attempt to slash the dominance of the Alaafin of Oyo, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, 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 state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, presented the Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office on behalf of Makinde at a coronation ceremony held at the premises of Oliveth Heights in 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 read by his deputy, said the elevation of the chiefs underscored his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots.

He, therefore, congratulated the newly crowned monarchs, saying their ascension to the status of crown-wearing Obas was both a recognition of their leadership and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, peacebuilding, and grassroots community development.

The governor 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.

Dignitaries at the event included the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, 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.