There is uneasy calm in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, following the conviction of the community’s traditional ruler, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede.

Oba Oloyede, who holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States, was arrested in May 2024 during a visit to the US over a $4.2 million COVID-19 support fund fraud.

He was sentenced to 56 months in prison by US District Judge Christopher A. Boyko.

The monarch, who ascended the throne on October 26, 2019, after a keen contest among no fewer than 10 princes, had earlier demolished the ancestral palace to build a new one before his arrest.

Following his conviction, tension has resurfaced in the community as princes from the two ruling houses — Aribile and Fagbemokun — have begun lobbying the kingmakers to replace him.

The lobbying reportedly intensified after Oba Oloyede’s absence was noticed during the January 11, 2025 annual prayer organised by the Ipetumodu chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

However, President of the Ipetumodu Progressives Union (IPU), Dr. Israel Akinjogbin, has urged calm, noting that the monarch has continued to hold virtual meetings with his chiefs despite his absence.

A top source disclosed that while kingmakers have started deliberations on the next step, any succession process may be delayed by the Osun State Government, which must formally notify the royal families and consult the Ifa oracle before a new installation can proceed.

The source said, “the town has reached out to Osun State Government several times before the conviction but they kept mute as to what they will do. But now, they have reach out again which the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr Dosu Babatunde declared that the State will act after it obtain the Certified True Copy(CTC) of the US judgement.

“Some contenders and stakeholders may submit petition to Osun State Government soon and attach the CTC so that the process of installing new king can be fast tracked.”

Another source disclosed that there have been several meetings by community heads including the chiefs led by Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Afolabi who is also the head of kingmakers.

Also, the President of IPU, Akinjogbin had been holding series of meetings with other stakeholders of the towns as regarding way forward.

The Nation observed that there is uneasy calm in Ipetumodu as it was learnt that some people are planning to orchestrate protest against the convicted king and also to hasten the government to quickly select new king for the town.

Efforts to get reaction from the head of kingmakers, Chief Afolabi was abortive as he did not pick his call and refuse to respond to text sent to his phone as at the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, a source disclosed that he is in a meeting with chiefs and compound heads since 11AM over the development.

Meanwhile, IPU have called for calm and unity among residents of the ancient Ipetumodu town and reassured indigenes that the situation remains under control.

IPU through its President, Dr Akinjogbin stated that the community should not allow the development to disrupt their daily lives.

He said “It is important for the people of Ipetumodu to distinguish between the legal proceedings abroad and the peace and order at home.”

The Union who admonished residents to continue to be law abiding and not foment trouble, said Ipetumodu is always a peaceful town and will not accept anything that may disrupt the existing peaceful coexistence.

“Already, Osun State Government has said it will obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgement of a United States Court that sentenced the monarch to prison before making any official statement as the government would not act based on social media reports.” (The Nation)

•Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede.