Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday proceeded with the coronation of 14 traditional rulers elevated to crown-wearing Obas, despite a pending motion before the Supreme Court of Nigeria seeking to halt the exercise.
The ceremony, held in Oyo town, saw the presentation of instruments of office and formal crowning rites for the affected chiefs and Baales. Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal represented the governor at the event.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that the legal dispute stems from an appeal originally instituted by the late Lamidi Adeyemi III, challenging the creation and elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja stool. In a motion filed in January 2026, the applicant asked the apex court to restrain the state government from recognising and installing Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as Oloja of Ago-Oja, and to set aside provisions of a 2025 state gazette related to the elevation.
Previous judgments by the Oyo State High Court in 2007 and the Court of Appeal in 2017 had declared the Baale of Ago-Oja title non-existent in Atiba Local Government Area and restrained the government from recognising it. Although the matter is now before the Supreme Court, it has yet to be scheduled for hearing.
ENigeria Newspaper gathers that the newly-crowned monarchs include The Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; Onimileke of Imileke Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye; Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe; Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; and Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan.
Counsel to the Alaafin had warned in a letter to the governor that proceeding with the coronations could amount to contempt of court. However, the state government defended the move, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen traditional institutions and promote grassroots development.
In remarks delivered on his behalf, Governor Makinde said the newly crowned monarchs are expected to serve as custodians of culture and partners in advancing peace, security and development across their domains.
