STOOL OF CONTROVERSY: OYO GOVT NAMES NEW ONITABO, ITABO COMMUNITY SAYS “NOT SO FAST”

ITABO, IBARAPA EAST —A brewing kingship dispute has pitched the Oyo State Government against sections of the Itabo community, just 24 hours after Government House announced a new monarch for the ancient town.

On Tuesday, 1st July 2026, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, released a statement confirming that Governor Seyi Makinde had approved the appointment of His Royal Highness, Oba Kehinde Isiaka Bayonle Ojedokun, as the new Onitabo of Itabo in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.

According to the state, the approval “underscores the government’s commitment to preserving the state’s rich traditional heritage while ensuring transparency, fairness, and due process.” Prince Oyelade noted that Governor Makinde has, since 2019, installed 12 kings and over 40 Baales — “a feat he described as unparalleled in the history of chieftaincy appointments in the state.”

STOOL OF CONTROVERSY: OYO GOVT NAMES NEW ONITABO, ITABO COMMUNITY SAYS “NOT SO FAST”

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, added that the coronation of the new Onitabo is scheduled for Friday, 10th July 2026, at Onitabo Community Primary School, Onitabo. He urged sons and daughters of Itabo and well-wishers to support the new monarch.

ITABO COMMUNITY FIRES BACK: “FALSE PROCLAMATION”

But by Wednesday morning, 2nd July, the Itabo community issued its own press release, describing the government’s announcement as “false, misleading, and does not reflect the outcome of the lawful selection process.”

The disclaimer, circulated widely among Itabo indigenes at home and in the diaspora, gave a detailed account of the selection process for the Onitabo stool, which has been vacant since the death of Oba (Dr.) Eyinloye Amori Afolabi on 28th November 2014.

According to the community, five princes were duly nominated and presented to government authorities before being forwarded to the Itabo Kingmakers, known as the Ikunles:

1. Prince Olaniyi Olagoke (Ladodu)

2. Prince Isiaka Bayonle Oyedokun Kehinde (Ibitoye Oyekanmi)

3. Prince Jamiu Adedotun Alabi (Olugbenla)

4. Prince Olusegun Odewole (Olugbenla)

5. Prince Moteleola Taiwo (Kangiefon)

The voting exercise, they said, was conducted at the Ibarapa North-East LCDA Secretariat, Lanlate, under the supervision of government officials and security agencies. The four duly recognized kingmakers listed were:

– Chief Adeleke Ogundeji – Elemo (Chairman)

– Chief Olagbeso Olaniyi – Asalu

– Chief Okunlola Olawale – Ojumo

– Chief Afolabi Gbolamu – Oota (Warrant Chief)

THE DISPUTED TALLY

The community release stated the outcome of the kingmakers’ vote as:

– Prince Jamiu Adedotun Alabi (Olugbenla) – 3 votes

– Prince Isiaka Bayonle Oyedokun Kehinde (Ibitoye Oyekanmi) – 1 vote

“By this lawful outcome,” the statement reads, “Prince Jamiu Adedotun Alabi (Olugbenla) emerged as the Onitabo-Elect of Itabo Land.”

The exercise was reportedly witnessed by the Vice Chairman of Ibarapa Local Government/Political Head of Ibarapa North-East LCDA, Head of Local Government Administration, Director of Administration and General Services, Director of Establishment, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Local Government, Supervisor for Chieftaincy Matters, DPOs of Lanlate and Eruwa, the DSS Director, and other officials.

The community said the result and all nomination documents were forwarded to the Oyo State Government for official pronouncement, “which the people of Itabo have patiently awaited.”

“AN ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE”

“It is therefore surprising,” the community’s disclaimer continued, “that an individual who secured only one vote is now being falsely presented as the duly appointed Onitabo of Itabo Land under the guise of an announcement from the Oyo State Government. Such information is not only false but also amounts to an attempt to impose a candidate contrary to the established traditional and lawful selection process.”

The community appealed directly to Governor Seyi Makinde, praising his “integrity, fairness, and commitment to justice,” and urging him not to allow “individuals or groups to tarnish the excellent reputation of your administration.” It also appealed to Hon. Ademola Ojo to ensure “fairness, due process, and the genuine outcome of the kingmakers’ decision are respected.”

WHAT NEXT FOR ITABO?

While the state government has fixed 10th July for coronation, the community insists it awaits “the official announcement from the Oyo State Government in accordance with the lawful process already concluded.” It urged sons and daughters of Itabo and the public to “remain calm, law-abiding, and ignore rumours and fake news.”

THE BIG QUESTIONS

_Asako News_ observes that two competing narratives now exist: a government proclamation naming Oba Kehinde Isiaka Bayonle Ojedokun, and a community account asserting that Prince Jamiu Adedotun Alabi won the kingmakers’ vote 3–1.

The crux of the matter is due process. Both sides invoke it. The state cites “transparency, fairness, and due process.” The community cites a supervised vote by recognized _Ikunles_ and the presence of multiple government and security witnesses.

For now, Itabo Land waits. The next 8 days to the scheduled coronation will test the state’s chieftaincy machinery, the authority of the kingmakers, and the patience of a community that has been without a monarch for 11 years.

One stool. Two claimants. One date circled on the calendar. All eyes are on  Itabo ancient town.