Oyo monarch raises alarm over alleged plans to dethrone him

A traditional ruler in Oyo State, the Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government Area, Oba Abraham Adeyeye Oyerinde, has raised an alarm over alleged plans by the State government to dethrone him.

Oyerinde made this declaration via a letter addressed to the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Lawal.

The letter was made available to DAILY POST Tuesday evening.

DAILY POST gathered that the traditional ruler was installed by the immediate past governor of the State, late Abiola Ajimobi, in May 2019.

He was presented the staff of office and instrument of office the same day.

Oyerinde has, however, raised an alarm that the State government, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademola Ojo, is planning to dethrone him.

In the letter, the traditional ruler used the opportunity to appeal to the Acting Governor of the State, Chief Adebayo Lawal, to intervene.

He called on the Acting Governor to prevail on the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to rescind his decision.

Oyerinde, in his argument, explained that he was nominated by Osunbiyi ruling house and his nomination was approved by the Kingmakers appointed by Government.

He added that his appointment was approved by the immediate past Governor, late Abiola Ajimobi, and he was given the instrument of office in May 2019, the day he was installed.

Oyerinde said that he was surprised that the State government is allegedly making moves to dethrone him.

The traditional ruler then appealed to the Acting Governor to intervene in order to halt the proposed dethronement.

Oyerinde also enjoined the Acting Governor to direct the immediate stoppage of the meetings that have already commenced by the Chairman of the local government area and the Emiolu ruling house to nominate a fresh candidate for the throne.

He explained that the throne has not been declared vacant by any court of competent jurisdiction.

He advised the State government to halt any plans to dethrone him.

Oyerinde, in the letter, said, “Your Excellency Sir, it is of extreme importance and urgency to again call your attention to a disturbing matter as it relates to the injustice meted on me as Aresaadu of Iresaadu, HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, headed by Hon Ademola Ojo.

“The Ministry has just issued a fresh letter in September 2026 to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government directing him to instruct Emiolu Ruling House to nominate a candidate for appointment as a parallel Aresaadu while I am still on the throne.

“I, Oba Adeyeye, was nominated by Osunbiyi ruling house. My nomination was approved by the Kingmakers appointed by Government. The appointment of Oba Adeyeye was approved by the Governor and I was given the instrument of office in May 2019”.