Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has presented the instrument of appointment and staff of office to Oba Akintoye Felix Adeoye as the new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government.
The ceremony, held yesterday in Oke-Igbo, took place amid protests by the Kuole Oloje Ruling House, which rejected the nomination of Prince Adeoye of the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House, describing the government’s decision as “unacceptable.”
The protesting family cited a pending appeal at Ondo State Court of Appeal over a previous High Court judgment that had favoured the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House in the kingship dispute.
Speaking during the presentation, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the event marked the end of a “long-drawn traditional and legal tussle” that had left Olu-Oke stool vacant for years.
He recalled that the vacancy followed a court judgment that nullified the appointment of the late Oba Babajide Lawrence Oluwole, declaring that he was not a descendant of Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House and directing that the next monarch should emerge from that lineage.
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According to the governor, the Chieftaincy Declaration registered in 2019 by the deposed monarch was rendered null and void by the court, thereby restoring the native laws and customs of Oke-Igbo as the valid basis for the selection process.
Aiyedatiwa urged the new monarch to see his ascension as a call to service and an opportunity to promote peace and unity in Oke-Igbo.
“Kabiyesi, you are now a father to all. Forget the acrimony of the past and do not use your position to victimise perceived opponents or rivals. I pray that Oke-Igbo will witness peace, growth and development during your reign,” the governor said.
He appealed to other contenders and their supporters to accept the new monarch, stressing that “the interest of Oke-Igbo must be placed above personal interests.”
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, hailed the governor’s adherence to due process in the selection of traditional rulers.
He said the state Executive Council approved Oba Adeoye’s appointment on October 27, after confirming its conformity with Oke-Igbo’s customs and traditions.
However, the Kuole Oloje Ruling House, through its Secretary, Prince Kolawole Adelabu, faulted the government’s decision, insisting that it was their turn to produce the next monarch.
“Without mincing words, it is the turn of Kuole Oloje Ruling House to present a candidate to fill the vacant stool left by the late Oba Olu Babajide, the Gbangbala I, who hailed from the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House,” Adelabu said.
He said the stool had always rotated among the five ruling houses in Oke-Igbo – noting that the late Oba Oluwole Timothy Fasawe, from the Odo Eleyowo Ruling House, preceded the deposed monarch.
Adelabu accused the state government of “politically manipulating” the process in favour of the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House, despite their turn having elapsed, and said the decision violated the rotational principle recognised in the state gazette.
He disowned some individuals allegedly acting on behalf of the family in court, stressing that they were not authorised to represent the Kuole Oloje Ruling House.
Adelabu, therefore, appealed to the state government to refrain from presenting the staff of office to Prince Adeoye, pending the outcome of the case before the Court of App