Oyo State Government conferred Obaship status on three prominent chiefs despite their physical absence. The newly elevated monarchs are Senator Sarafadeen Alli, Oba Oyekola Babalola, and Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin.

Governor Seyi Makinde performed the installation in line with the Chiefs’ Law of Oyo State, emphasizing that the move reinforces a traditional system that ensures stability.

He urged the new Obas to lead with integrity and act as pillars of unity within their domains.

The absence of the three chiefs sparked intense speculation that the ceremony was laced with political undertones. Observers suggest the elevations were a strategy to technically “trap” the chiefs in traditional roles to prevent them from contesting future elections.

A major focus of this tension is Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who is rumored to have gubernatorial ambitions for 2027. It is believed the state government wants to neutralize his political influence, as he enjoys significant support from power brokers in both Ibadan and Abuja.

In response to the controversy, constitutional lawyer Adebisi Adeyemo clarified that chieftaincy titles cannot legally stop a citizen from seeking elective office. He stated that the 1999 Constitution remains the supreme authority over any traditional or administrative restrictions.

The lawyer further argued that since the chiefs were only eligible for the stools or nominated, they retain their full political rights. He noted that only formally installed, full-time traditional rulers are typically expected to maintain strict political neutrality.

Government officials, however, maintained that the ceremony was purely about cultural preservation and avoiding a vacuum in the Ibadan traditional hierarchy. They dismissed rumors of political victimization, insisting the process followed due legal and customary procedures.