… Kingmakers insist only Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso is recognised
A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing Obaship crisis rocking Alade-Idanre in Ondo State as two different individuals have now been declared as the new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre by opposing groups.
The crisis escalated on Thursday after some warrant chiefs appointed by the Ondo State Government convened under heavy security presence and announced Chief Ayo Akinnadeju as the new Aladeokun.
This development followed an earlier briefing by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who disclosed after the State Executive Council meeting of December 30, 2025, that the government had approved the appointment of warrant chiefs to select a new Aladeokun.
However, the Akinboro family of the Lagokun Ruling House swiftly challenged the government’s action. The family filed Suit No. HCAK/558/CIV/2025 on December 31, 2025, against the state government and the warrant chiefs, insisting that their appointment violated the Chiefs Law of Ondo State and the native customs of Alade-Idanre.
According to the family, Section 9 of the Chiefs Law only permits the appointment of warrant chiefs when existing kingmakers cannot form a quorum due to deaths or vacancies.
They argued that this was not the case, as the authentic kingmakers had already met, formed the required quorum and appointed Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso — whose family, alongside the Akinbola family, forms the Lagokun Ruling House — as the rightful Aladeokun in line with the recognised Chieftaincy Declaration.
Despite this, the government-appointed warrant chiefs proceeded with their own selection and announced Chief Ayo Akinnadeju at a meeting reportedly boycotted by the original kingmakers.
Reacting to the development, the Lisa and Regent of Alade-Idanre, High Chief Oladipo Akinsowon, who is also the head of the kingmakers, said he had been inundated with calls from indigenes at home and abroad over the confusion.
He maintained that the traditional kingmakers were not involved in the parallel exercise carried out by the warrant chiefs, stressing that they had already selected and performed the necessary rites for Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso before forwarding his name to the government.
Akinsowon added that the government had neither approved nor rejected the kingmakers’ choice before the warrant chiefs proceeded with a separate appointment, describing the action as a desecration of Alade-Idanre’s customs and traditions.
Also reacting, counsel to Otunba Akinboro-Akingbaso, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, described the government’s action as another example of disregard for judicial processes and the rule of law.
According to him, there are at least three pending cases before the Ondo State High Court relating to the Aladeokun stool, including suits challenging Chief Akinnadeju’s eligibility on the grounds that he does not belong to either the Akinboro or Akinbola families — the only recognised families under the 1990 Government White Paper on the Ajakaiye Chieftaincy Commission Review.
Emodamori added that despite being served with the new suit, the Deputy Governor, Attorney-General, Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and the warrant chiefs proceeded with the controversial appointment.
He accused the government of taking advantage of the ongoing strike action that has shut down courts across the state, warning that such disregard amounted to “trampling on the law, the courts and public order.”
“We will nullify their illegality through the instrumentality of the law,” he vowed.
With the two rival claimants now laying claim to the throne, tension continues to build in Alade-Idanre, raising fears of further crisis unless urgent intervention is initiated by relevant authorities.
