Elerin Urges Adeleke To Release Approval Letters For Three Promoted Monarchs

The Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Adekunle Omoloye (Oyagbodun II), has appealed to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to direct the immediate release of official approval letters to three promoted traditional rulers in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state.

The monarch expressed concern over the delay in issuing the documents, despite the governor’s reported approval of recommendations by the Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), for the recognition of the three royal stools.

The affected monarchs are Oba Adebisi Mukaila Michael, the Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon Land; Oba Ogundele Matthew Olasunkanmi, the Onirante of Irante Land; and Oba Bamidele Samson Oluwafemi, the Owa Akinfin of Ikinfin Land.

In a letter dated August 4, 2026, titled Request for Official Recognition of the Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon Land, the Onirante of Irante Land and the Owa Akinfin of Ikinfin Land as Recognised Traditional Rulers in Osun State, the Ooni of Ife reportedly recommended the recognition of the three monarchs based on their historical lineage and cultural significance.

According to the Ooni, historical records and Yoruba tradition affirm that the Olokeolooru Obalufon is a grandson of Obalufon Ogbogbodirin, the third Ooni of Ife, while the Onirante and Owa Akinfin are direct sons of the same historical monarch.

Oba Ogunwusi stated in the letter that the royal lineage, traditional legitimacy and cultural importance of the three stools justified their official recognition by the Osun State Government and their admission as members of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The correspondence was reportedly received and stamped by the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ministry of Justice on August 4, 2026.

Further confirmation of the governor’s approval was contained in a letter of appreciation dated October 7, 2026, written by the Deputy Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun (Bibiire I).

The Orangun expressed gratitude to Adeleke for approving the recommendation to admit the three monarchs as permanent members of the state’s Council of Traditional Rulers.

He described the decision as a welcome development and a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to fairness, respect for tradition and inclusive governance.

However, in a letter dated October 19, 2026, the Elerin of Erin-Osun expressed concern that the official approval documents had yet to be issued to the affected monarchs, despite the reported approval.

Oba Omoloye urged the governor to intervene and ensure that the relevant ministry completed the necessary administrative processes without further delay.

He said, “For us not to write another letter over this matter, let us respect the letter and do all that is necessary concerning it. It will be ridiculous not to honour the Ooni’s letter. Even if the Ooni writes a letter to another state, they must respect his letter concerning kingship matters.”

The Elerin also recalled previous efforts by traditional rulers to secure recognition for some of the affected royal stools, saying the process had faced challenges for decades.

“I knew the late Olokeolooru Obalufon, the father of the present Olokeolooru. The late Olokeolooru Obalufon, Oba Okeremi Adebisi Adedokun, struggled to be elevated in 1984, but his file was reportedly found missing,” he said.

Oba Omoloye added that he and the late Aragbiji had also made efforts to secure the elevation of the Olokeolooru Obalufon and Owa Akinfin in the past, but their attempts did not yield the desired result.

He said he was delighted when he learnt that the Adeleke administration had approved the elevation of the Olokeolooru Obalufon and the Onirante of Irante, expressing hope that the outstanding documentation would be completed.

Speaking on behalf of Obalufon-descendant monarchs across Osun State and the wider Yoruba nation, including traditional rulers in Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Ondo states, the Elerin appealed to the state government to resolve the delay.

He urged the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to issue the approval letters to the three monarchs, stressing the need to conclude the process in a manner that respects traditional institutions and the historical significance of the royal stools.

Traditional leaders and other stakeholders are expected to watch for the governor’s intervention to ensure that the approval process is concluded and the affected monarchs receive their official documents without further delay.