By Peter Omopo, Osogbo | September 13, 2025
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Dosu Babatunde, to take immediate steps to address the lingering crisis surrounding the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, following the conviction of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede in the United States.
Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, was recently sentenced to more than four years in prison by a U.S. court for COVID-19 loan fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the monarch and a co-conspirator illegally obtained pandemic relief funds under the CARES Act between April 2020 and February 2022. He was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay over $4.4 million in restitution.
The conviction has unsettled Ipetumodu, splitting the community between those calling for the throne to remain vacant until the monarch returns and others demanding the installation of a new ruler.
Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting on Friday, Governor Adeleke described the situation as an “ugly development” and instructed Babatunde to act swiftly to resolve it.
Meanwhile, tensions heightened on Tuesday when a meeting of princes in Ipetumodu ended in chaos after a call for Governor Adeleke to declare the stool vacant was rejected by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji. Adedeji, the most senior surviving kingmaker, recused himself from the matter, insisting that peace must first be restored in the community.
A prince from the Aribile Ruling House, Olaboye Ayoola, expressed disappointment at the stalemate, alleging that Adedeji’s refusal derailed efforts to elect new kingmakers and submit a vacancy letter to the governor.
In addition to the chieftaincy issue, Adeleke also directed ministries to fast-track policies on ICT, technology innovation, agriculture, and sports, while urging local governments to develop comprehensive developmental plans aligned with the state’s agenda.
The governor emphasized the need for accountability and data-driven governance as Osun prepares for upcoming elections, stressing that his administration’s achievements in climate change initiatives and youth empowerment programmes are already attracting national and international attention.
