Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dosu Babatunde, to take immediate steps in addressing the escalating crisis in Ipetumodu following the conviction of the town’s monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States.
Adeleke gave the directive over the weekend while presiding at the State Executive Council meeting, where he also approved reviews and implementation measures on other key state policies.
Weeks earlier, the Osun State Government had stated that it would only determine the monarch’s fate after the conclusion of his trial abroad. However, his conviction has since triggered royal rumblings and heightened tension within the community.
Oba Oloyede, 62, who holds dual Nigerian and U.S. citizenship, was convicted of conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 emergency loan programmes designed for struggling businesses. He was sentenced on August 26 to 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko in Ohio.
Following the development, a palace meeting was reportedly convened at the traditional council chamber, presided over by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, to deliberate on the town’s leadership situation.
The session, which started smoothly, soon descended into chaos when a proposal was made to send a letter to Governor Adeleke, urging him to declare the Apetu stool vacant.
Chief Adedeji, the most senior surviving kingmaker, declined to support the move, insisting that peace must first be restored in the community.
His refusal sparked heated exchanges among princes and other participants, forcing the meeting to end abruptly without a resolution. Adedeji later confirmed his stance.
Some royal family members, however, voiced frustration at the deadlock. Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House lamented that the refusal to act only deepened the leadership vacuum:
Since the monarch’s conviction, Ipetumodu has been on edge, with mounting calls for state intervention to prevent a breakdown of peace and to provide clarity on the community’s traditional leadership.
