Osun Monarch Alleges Political Vendetta Over Demotion By Adeleke

The Alagunbeelewo of Agunbeelewo, Chief Maruf Olayiwola, has accused the Osun State Government of demoting him and the Olu of Irepodun from recognised traditional rulers to minor chieftaincy status over their alleged association with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Olayiwola made the allegation while reacting to the state government’s decision to withdraw their recognition as Part II traditional rulers under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The decision was conveyed through separate letters dated November 5, 2026, from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by Wale Alliyu. The letters were also copied to the Ataoja of Osogbo.

Expressing displeasure over the development, Olayiwola said neither he nor the Olu of Irepodun had been informed of any offence warranting the government’s action.

He alleged that their association with members of the APC, rather than the Accord Party, was cited as the reason for the decision.

“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,” he said.

The monarch appealed to Governor Adeleke not to allow political considerations or personal grievances to influence decisions affecting traditional institutions in the state.

“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 added.

According to the letters, the Osun State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Adeleke on October 23, 2026, approved the de-recognition of the two stools as Part II recognised chieftaincies under the Chiefs’ Law (Cap. 25), Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The approval, which took effect from October 23, 2026, means that the affected stools would revert to minor chieftaincies under Part III of the law.

The letters further stated that the affected traditional rulers would cease to enjoy the rights, privileges and allowances attached to their former recognised status.

However, the correspondence did not specify the reasons for the government’s decision.