Oyo Governor Crowns 14 Chiefs Despite Supreme Court Challenge
Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, went ahead on Friday with the formal elevation and coronation of the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land along with 13 other high chiefs and Baales, elevating them to crown-wearing Obas, even though a Supreme Court motion is currently seeking to halt the process.
The event took place at Olivet Heights, Oyo, where ceremonial instruments of office such as staffs and certificates were presented, and traditional crowning rituals were performed.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal acted on behalf of the governor during the official rites.
The coronation took place despite a legal motion filed on 30 January 2026 under Appeal No. SC/404/2018. The case, originally brought by the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III, challenges the creation and recognition of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy, the elevation of the stool to a higher status, and the crowning of Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as Oloja of Ago-Oja.
The motion also seeks to nullify provisions in the Oyo State Gazette that relate to the elevation of the chieftaincy. Legal representatives of the Alaafin cited earlier rulings by the Oyo State High Court in 2007 and the Court of Appeal in 2017, which had declared the Baale of Ago-Oja title non-existent and prohibited the state from recognizing or installing Busari in that capacity.
The matter is awaiting a Supreme Court hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.
A letter sent to the governor in early February warned that moving forward with the coronation could be deemed illegal and contemptuous of court, as it would challenge previous court decisions.
Despite the pending legal action, the state government defended the event. Governor Makinde, through a representative, highlighted the coronation as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen traditional institutions, foster peace, and support grassroots development.
He called on the new monarchs to promote integrity, fairness, and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of partnership between government and traditional rulers in addressing local security and development issues.
Oyo’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo, described the ceremony as historic, culturally significant, and a reaffirmation of the state’s heritage.
The newly crowned monarchs included Oba David Oyediran (Alaaguo of Aguoland), Oba Afonja Mukaila (Baba Eyaji of Oyo), Oba Samuel Odurinde (Alajagba of Oyo), Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye (Ona-Isokun of Oyo), Oba Fakayode Alowonle (Onimileke of Imileke Oyo), Oba Salawu Oyeniran (Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo), Oba Olaniyi Adegboye (Oloodu of Ojongbodu), Oba Tijani Ajeigbe (Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara), Oba Oyeleke Yusuff (Onidode of Idodeland), Oba Lamidi Jimoh (Iba Samu of Oyo Empire), Oba Ganiyu Busari (Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land), Oba Asimiyu Jimoh (Agbaaki of Oyo), Oba Jimoh Oyeleye (Alakeitan of Akeitan), and Oba Abel Oyekan (Elepe of Iseke).
Distinguished guests included representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, members of the 10th Oyo Assembly from the Oyo geopolitical zone, and other political leaders.
The legal challenge and associated motion remain unresolved before the Supreme Court.
