The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday elevated 14 High Chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas with the presentation of Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office.

The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, presented the Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office on behalf of Makinde at a colourful coronation ceremony held at the premises of Oliveth Heights in Oyo West Local Government Area of the state.

The newly elevated monarchs include the Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke, Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu, Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye; and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe.

Others are the Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; and the Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan.

Makinde, whose speech was read by his deputy, said the elevation of the chiefs underscored his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots.

He, therefore, congratulated the newly crowned monarchs, saying their ascension to the status of crown-wearing Obas was both a recognition of their leadership and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, peacebuilding, and grassroots community development.

The governor said, “The State Government holds traditional rulers in high esteem because of their roles as custodians of culture, promoters of unity and partners in progress.

“I want to urge you all (the monarchs) to uphold integrity, fairness and service to your people. Your reigns should be characterized by peace, inclusiveness and support for government programmes aimed at improving citizens’ welfare in their domains.”

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, described the event as historic and culturally significant, adding that it represented not just the installation of royal fathers but a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and enduring traditions.

He said the Yoruba traditional institution, one of the oldest and most revered in Africa, remains central to governance, culture, and unity in Oyo land.

“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.”

The commissioner commended the governor for approving and sponsoring the programme, adding that the coronation of 14 Obas at once symbolised unity, continuity, and renewal within Oyo land.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with traditional rulers for conflict resolution, cultural preservation, and community mobilisation.

Dignitaries at the event included the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; former Speaker of the state Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; members of the 10th Oyo Assembly from the Oyo geopolitical zone; top government functionaries; and political leaders.

The PUNCH reports that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, has been asked to restrain the state government from creating, recognising, or elevating the chieftaincy stool of Baale Ago-Oja, pending the determination of an appeal before it.

In a motion on notice dated January 30, 2026, and filed in Appeal No. SC/404/2018, the Alaafin of Oyo is seeking orders of interlocutory and mandatory injunctions against the Governor of Oyo State and the Attorney-General of Oyo State.

The motion, brought pursuant to Order 2 Rule 28(1) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2014 (as amended), and the inherent powers of the court under Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, seeks to halt all actions relating to the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy pending the final determination of the appeal.

The suit was instituted by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

The Alaafin is asking the apex court to restrain the governor and the attorney-general from “creating or re-creating, establishing or re-establishing the chieftaincy stool of Baale Ago-Oja” and from “appointing, approving or recognising” Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as holder of the stool.

He is also seeking an order restraining the state government from “recognising or further recognising, dealing or further dealing with” Busari as Baale Ago-Oja, as well as stopping any elevation of the chieftaincy from Part III (Minor Chief) to Part II (Recognised Chief).

In addition, the applicant is asking the court to restrain the respondents from “installing or crowning the appellant as the Oloja of Ago-Oja on February 13, 2026, at Olivet High School, Oyo, or at any other venue whatsoever.”

The motion further urges the Supreme Court to set aside Oyo State Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50 of January 17, 2025, “in so far as it relates to the elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy.”

According to the motion, “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.”

The applicant, therefore, urged the apex court to “grant the reliefs sought and make such further orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit in the circumstances of this case.”

The appeal and accompanying motion are yet to be fixed for hearing. (The PUNCH)

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