Obaship Crisis Rocks Alade-Idanre

A fresh twist has thrown the Aladeokun stool of Alade-Idanre, Ondo State, into deeper crisis following the emergence of two rival claimants to the revered traditional throne, sparking tension, confusion and fears of a looming breakdown of order in the community.

On Thursday, some warrant chiefs recently appointed by the Ondo State Government, under heavy security presence, met and announced the appointment of Chief Ayo Akinnadeju as the new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre

However, the traditional kingmakers of Alade-Idanre swiftly distanced themselves from the move, insisting that they had earlier and validly appointed Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso as the new Aladeokun in line with extant laws and native customs.

The development has effectively pitched the state-appointed warrant chiefs against the statutory kingmakers, creating a parallel kingship situation that many stakeholders fear could degenerate into a full-blown crisis if not urgently addressed.

How the Crisis Unfolded

The Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had, on December 30, 2025, briefed journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, announcing that government had approved the appointment of warrant chiefs to conduct the selection of a new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre.

Barely 24 hours later, the Akinboro Family of the Lagokun Ruling House headed to court, instituting Suit No. HCAK/558/CIV/2025 against the Ondo State Government and the newly appointed warrant chiefs.

The family contended that the appointment of warrant chiefs was illegalunconstitutionalna, and contrary to Section 9 of the Ondo State Chiefs Law as well as the native law and custom of Alade-Idare

According to th, m the government is only empowered to appoint warrant chiefs where existing kingmakers are unable to form a quorum due to death or incapacity. They argued that such a situation did not arise in Alade-Idanre.

‘We Already Appointed Our Oba’ — Kingmakers

The plaintiffs maintained that the duly recognised kingmakers had met, formed the required statutory quorum as prescribed under Section 9(1) of the Chiefs Law, and lawfully selected Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso, whose family, they said, is next in line to produce the Aladeokun under the Aladeokun Chieftaincy Declaration.

Despite this, the warrant chiefs went ahead to appoint Chief Ayo Akinnadeju at a meeting reportedly boycotted by the original kingmakers.

Reacting from his residence in Idanre, the Lisa and Regent of Alade-Idanre, who also doubles as the Head of the Kingmakers, High Chief Oladipo Akinsowon, confirmed that the traditional kingmakers were not part of the warrant chiefs’ exercise.

He disclosed that he had been inundated with calls from concerned sons and daughters of Alade-Idanre at home and in the Diaspora over the disturbing development.

According to him, “We had already performed the necessary traditional rites and appointed Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso as the Aladeokun and forwarded his name to the government. At no time did the governmencommunicateat the acceptance or rejection of our choice before this parallel appointment.”

He described the action of the warrant chiefs as a “serious desecration of the age-long customs and traditions of Alade-Idanre,” stressing that the kingmakers would not associate themselves with what he termed an illegitimate process.

Lawyer Accuses Government of Disregard for Rule of Law

Counsel to Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso, Mr. Femi Emmanuel Emodamor took a swipe at the state government, describing the development as another glaring example of contempt for judicial process and the rule of law.

He disclosed that there are at least three pending suits before the Ondo State High Court concerning the Aladeokun chieftaincy, with the state government listed as a party.

According to him, two of the suits specifically challenge the eligibility of Chief Ayo Akinnadeju, arguing that he does not belong to either the Akinboro or Akinbola families—the only two families recognised under the Lagokun Ruling House to produce an Aladeokun, as contained in the state government’s 1990 White Paper on the Ajakaiye Chieftaincy Review Commission.

Emodamori said:

“This government has again demonstrated utter disregard for judicial process, the Ondo State Judiciary and the rule of law. Despite being served with court processes, they went ahead to trample on the law, the court, and public decency.”

He further alleged that the government was taking advantage of the ongoing judicial workers’ strike to perpetrate what he described as “institutionalised lawlessness.”

“This illegality will be nullified through the instrumentality of the law. Wecan nott allow hooliganism to be elevated to a tool of governance,” he added.

Tension Mounts

As of press time, anxiety continues to grip Alade-Idanre, with community leaders and residents calling on the state government to tread cautiously to avert a breakdown of peace over the contested Aladeokun stool.

Observers warn that unless the crisis is urgently resolved within the confines of the law, the emergence of two parallel Aladeokuns could plunge the ancient town into avoidable turmoil.