Tempers flared in Ipetumodu, Osun State, on Tuesday as kingmakers clashed over the fate of the town’s embattled monarch, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, who is currently cooling his heels in a United States prison.
The 27th Apetumodu, Oba Oloyede, was sentenced to over four years behind bars for COVID-19 loan fraud in the U.S., with a $4.4 million restitution order and asset forfeiture hanging on his neck.
Despite the conviction, moves to declare the stool vacant hit a brick wall when the most senior kingmaker, Chief Sunday Adedeji, flatly rejected a demand to write Governor Ademola Adeleke and strip the monarch of his throne.
The meeting, which started peacefully inside the palace at 4 p.m., descended into shouting matches after princes from the Aribile Ruling House insisted that the throne be declared vacant and new kingmakers appointed.
Adedeji stood his ground, saying he wanted no part in such a move and announcing he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker. That single statement threw the gathering into chaos, forcing the meeting to collapse by 6 p.m.
One of the princes, Olaboye Ayoola of Aribile, according to Punch, fumed afterwards:
During the meeting, we all agreed new kingmakers should be appointed and the governor informed that the stool is vacant. But Chief Adedeji refused and walked away. That’s what caused the commotion.
Confirming his stance, Adedeji said: It is true. Peace has to reign first.
Since the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Ohio confirmed Oloyede’s sentencing on August 26, Ipetumodu has been on edge, with calls mounting for the Osun State government to take a firm position.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, said the state was awaiting a Certified True Copy of the judgment before acting.
Meanwhile, the two ruling houses are now sharply divided. Aribile insists the throne must remain with them, either until Oloyede serves his term or by selecting another prince from their fold. Fagbemokun, however, is demanding its turn, arguing that the crown must now shift to their lineage.
Security operatives from the DSS had their patrol van stationed outside the palace during the stormy meeting, underscoring the rising tension over Ipetumodu’s troubled throne.
