Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has gone ahead with the elevation and coronation of the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land and 13 other high chiefs and Baales to crown-wearing Obas, despite a pending motion before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the exercise.
The ceremony, held on Friday at Olivet Heights, Oyo, featured the formal presentation of instruments of office, including staffs and certificates, and the crowning of the newly elevated monarchs. Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal represented Governor Makinde and performed the official rites.
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Governor Makinde said the elevation underscored his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots.
“This elevation is a recognition of your leadership and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, peacebuilding, and community development,” Makinde said. “We hold our traditional rulers in high esteem as custodians of culture, promoters of unity, and partners in progress. Your reigns must be characterised by integrity, fairness, inclusiveness, and support for government programmes that improve citizens’ welfare.”
He stressed that synergy between government and traditional rulers remained vital in tackling security challenges and accelerating grassroots development.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo, described the occasion as historic and culturally significant.
“This is not merely the installation of royal fathers but a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and enduring traditions. 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,” Ojo said.
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He commended Governor Makinde for approving and sponsoring the programme, noting that the simultaneous coronation of 14 Obas symbolised unity, continuity, and renewal in Oyo land.
The newly crowned 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 Oyo), Oba Salawu Oyeniran (Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo), 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).
Dignitaries at the event included representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, members of the 10th Oyo Assembly, top government officials, and political leaders.
Legal Dispute
The coronation proceeded despite a motion filed on January 30, 2026, in Appeal No. SC/404/2018 before the Supreme Court in Abuja. The motion, originally instituted by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, seeks to restrain the governor and attorney-general from elevating or recognising the Baale of Ago-Oja chieftaincy, which had been declared non-existent by the Oyo State High Court in 2007 and affirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2017.
Through his counsel, Adeola Omotunde (SAN), the Alaafin argued:
“Any attempt to revive, recognise, 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.”
In a letter dated February 8, 2026, the Alaafin’s lawyers warned Governor Makinde that proceeding with the coronation of Ganiyu Busari as Oloja of Ago-Oja would amount to “an illegality and contempt of court.”
They reminded the governor of Justice S. Olu Akinola’s 2007 ruling, which held that “the title ‘Baale of Ago-Oja’ does not exist in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State” and restrained Busari from parading himself as such. The Court of Appeal later dismissed Busari’s appeal in 2017.
Despite this, the state government issued Busari a fresh approval letter and elevated the stool through Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50 of January 17, 2025.
The lawyers stressed:
“It is contrary to law, logic, and common sense for a chieftaincy declared non-existent by a court of competent jurisdiction to be resuscitated by executive action. You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.”
The Supreme Court appeal and motion are yet to be fixed for hearing.