Lekan Yusuf, Ibadan
The Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde, has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene in what he described as an alleged attempt by officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to unlawfully install a parallel traditional ruler despite his continued occupancy of the throne.
Speaking through his counsel, Barrister S.T.A. Raji, at a press conference held on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the monarch alleged that the ministry had continued to withhold his official recognition, entitlements, and paraphernalia of office several years after his appointment.
According to the counsel, the latest development followed a letter allegedly issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in September 2025 directing the Chairman of Surulere Local Government to commence the process of appointing another Aresaadu, despite the fact that Oba Adeyeye remains on the throne.
Barrister Raji described the action as unlawful, alleging that the ministry based its directive on what he termed a false claim that a court judgment had nullified the monarch’s appointment.
He maintained that no court had removed Oba Adeyeye from office, adding that multiple court judgments had instead affirmed his appointment as the substantive Aresaadu of Iresaadu.
The legal representative further claimed that despite several visits, petitions, and letters addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, including correspondence dated March 9 and June 15, 2026, the ministry had yet to reverse the directive.
He also alleged that legal advice previously issued by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice recommending the recognition of Oba Adeyeye had not been implemented.
According to him, the continued withholding of the monarch’s recognition has created tension within the community, encouraging rival claimants and allegedly leading to unauthorized installation of Baales and minor chiefs as well as disputed land transactions.
The counsel further alleged that the situation had prevented the monarch from performing his statutory responsibilities, particularly at a time when traditional rulers play critical roles in supporting security and community governance.
To support the claims, Barrister Raji presented what he described as Certified True Copies of the monarch’s appointment letter, instrument of office, court judgments affirming his appointment, the withdrawal of an appeal challenging his emergence, legal advice from the Ministry of Justice, and previous correspondence with the state government.
The legal team urged Governor Makinde to intervene by:
– Approving and releasing the monarch’s outstanding entitlements and official paraphernalia of office
– Directing the withdrawal of the September 2025 letter initiating the appointment of a parallel Aresaadu
– Investigating and sanctioning any government officials found culpable in the matter
They also called on the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to accord Oba Adeyeye full recognition as a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and the Surulere Local Government Traditional Council in accordance with existing laws.
