The Osun State Government, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, has demoted two traditional rulers in Osogbo, the state capital, namely the Alagunbeelewo of Agunbeelewo and the Olu of Irepodun.
The decision was communicated through a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dated November 5. The letter was signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by Wale Alliyu and copied to the Ataoja of Osogbo.
The two separate letters sent to the affected monarchs disclosed that the State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Adeleke on October 23, had approved the withdrawal of their recognition as Part II traditional rulers, reverting their stools to minor chieftaincies.
The letter partly read:
“I am directed to inform you that the State Executive Council ably led by His Excellency Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has approved the de-recognition of your stool as Part II (Recognized) stool under the Chief’s Law (Cap, 25) Laws of Osun State, 2002 with effect from 23rd October, 2026.
“By this de-recognition, your stool now reverts to a Minor Chieftaincy to which Part III of the Chief’s Law applies and consequently, all the rights, privileges and allowances being enjoyed as a recognized Chief will by this development cease.”
Although the government did not provide any explanation for the decision, the Alagunbeelewo of Agunbeelewo, Chief Maruf Olayiwola, alleged that their demotion was connected to their perceived political association with the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than the Accord Party in the state.
Speaking on the development, Olayiwola expressed disappointment that they had not been officially informed of any wrongdoing.
“It is unfortunate that till now, no one disclosed our offence but we were told that we are not associating with Accord party and we did not collect money from anyone. We have friends in the APC and cannot deny our relationship with them. I believe that is not enough reason to sack us from the stool.
“Governor Adeleke should not allow some persons to reduce the office of the Governor to that of settling personal grudges for the sake of posterity”, he said.
Meanwhile, the civil society organisation, Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI), has criticised the state government, accusing it of acting unlawfully in handling the matter.
The organisation’s spokesperson, Adeniyi Faith, speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, urged the Adeleke administration to keep politics away from traditional institutions to protect their integrity and dignity.
Faith stressed that the state government’s authority over traditional institutions was subject to legal restrictions and must be exercised in accordance with established procedures.
“We wish to remind Governor Adeleke that the power of a state government over traditional institutions is not unlimited. Such powers must be exercised strictly in accordance with the applicable laws, established procedures, principles of natural justice and the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing.
“The government must demonstrate the legal authority, procedural compliance and legitimate grounds for every decision it takes concerning the appointment, suspension or removal of a traditional ruler. Political authority must never be mistaken for unlimited authority.
“We are not suggesting that traditional rulers are above the law or cannot be removed under any circumstances. However, where the law prescribes procedures for such removal, those procedures must be followed without manipulation, political intimidation or selective application.
“Governor Adeleke must understand that traditional rulership is not a toy that he can pick up, throw away or manipulate whenever he feels like doing so. The traditional institution is bigger than any political administration, and its dignity must be preserved beyond the tenure of any governor”, he said.