The royal family of the late Owa of Idanre, Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, has petitioned Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over what it described as a plot by officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to impose an ineligible “stranger” as the next Owa of Idanre.
The petition, dated January 29, 2026, was written by Akinyemi Omoware & Associates, solicitors to the royal family, and accused the ministry of acting in clear violation of the Registered Chieftaincy Declaration and existing chieftaincy laws guiding the Owa of Idanre stool.
According to the petition, the royal family said the government had already granted approval in June 2025 for the commencement of the process to fill the vacant stool following the death of the monarch in December 2024, with clear instructions that the process must strictly follow the Registered Declaration of Owa of Idanre and the 1981 Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission White Paper.
However, the family alleged that some officials within the ministry are now “conniving with and giving undue recognition” to Mr. Kayode Aroloye, whom they insist is not qualified to contest the stool.
“Mr. Kayode Aroloye is not in any way qualified or eligible to be appointed as Owa of Idanre because he is not a son of any previous holder of the title, as clearly entrenched in the Registered Declaration,” the petition stated.
The lawyers explained that the Registered Declaration recognizes only one ruling house — the Owa’s House — and stipulates that only sons of previous Owas are eligible to ascend the throne.
They further alleged that the ministry is planning to sideline legally recognised kingmakers and appoint warrant chiefs as a strategy to force through the emergence of the alleged preferred candidate.
“By law, warrant chiefs can only be appointed where there is no quorum of kingmakers. In Idanre, nine out of the twelve recognised kingmakers are alive, forming the required quorum.
Any attempt to appoint warrant chiefs under this circumstance is unlawful and suspicious,” the petition added.
The royal family also accused unnamed actors of sponsoring a faceless petition to the Ondo State Anti-Corruption Agency to allegedly indict kingmakers and justify their removal.
They warned that such actions could trigger crisis and breakdown of law and order in the usually peaceful Idanre community.
“Idanre is a law-abiding and peaceful town, but it will not condone any attempt to rewrite its history and tradition. Foisting a stranger on the ancient stool of Owa of Idanre will lead to unimaginable crisis,” the petition warned.
The family therefore urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to intervene urgently, call the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to order, and ensure strict adherence to the Registered Declaration and the Chiefs Law.
“We have no doubt that Your Excellency will uphold the rule of law and direct the Ministry to toe the path of legality in order to preserve enduring peace in Idanre,” the lawyers concluded.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Deputy Governor, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Chairman of Idanre Local Government Area.
