The Olokelooru Obalufon of Okelooru Obalufon, Oba Adebisi Mukaila Micheal and the Olurante of Irante, Oba Matthew Oyedele has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to weigh in on planned to demote them and withdraw the staff of officer earlier presented to them.
The two monarchs, who communities are in Boluwaduro Local Government Area, were presented with instruments of office on Tuesday, September 18, 2025 by Governor Adeleke.
According to an SOS sent to our reporter in Osogbo on Tuesday, the monarch accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde of planning to reverse the approval by the governor and the State Executive Cabinet.
The elevation
According to documents sighted by was approved by the Osun State Executive Cabinet presided over by Governor Adeleke ealier in September and it was published in September 12 edition of the state gazette.
The elevation was conveyed to the two monarchs in a separate letter sent to them on September 15, 2025.
The letter signed by Wale Aliyu, the Director of Chieftaincy on behalf of Femi Ogundun, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry reads, “I am directed to inform you that the Executive Council ably led by His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has approved your elevation to Part II (Recognized Status) under the Chiefs’ Law (Cap.25), Laws of Osun State, 2002 with effect from 12th September, 2025.
“By this elevation, Your Royal Highness is entitled to all the rights, priviledges
and allowances being enjoyed by a recognized Chief.
“I am to add that arrangement is being made to publish this approval in the Official Government Gazette.”
The official government gazette of September 18, 2025 published by the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, contained the elevation.
Tagged Osun State Notice no 57 and 58, the government announced that the state executive has elevated Onirante and Olokelooru to Part 11 Obas.
The gazette reads, “it is hereby notified for general information that Executive Governor of Osun State SENATOR ADEMOLA NURUDEEN ADELEKE has approved the elevation to part 11 of the traditional ruler the Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okelooru Obalufon Land in Boluwaduro Local Goverment Area.”
At the presentation of staff of office by the governor who was represented by Babatunde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Femi Ogundun said the process started in February this year the “Ministry ensured due process are followed in the elevation. We did all our background checks before we took it to the EXCO for approval. I want to congratulate you on this elevation.”
Crisis after elevation
According to Oba Adebisi, the crisis started after the presentation of the instrument of office and appointment letter.
He said the Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Adeseun Ibiloye conniving with the Commissioner of Youth Affairs, Moshood Olagunju who is an indigene of Iresi to withdraw his appointment and reverse the elevation.
Narrating the issue, Oba Adebisi said, “we were told in April that our letters have been forwarded to the EXCO in April but the EXCO presided by the Governor sat and deliberated on it. We (myself and Onirante) were presented staff of office on September 16.”
While calling on Governor to rein in on Babatunde and Olagunju, the embatlled monarch accused Olagunju of using his influence to cause mayhem in his community.
“We are calling on Governor Adeleke to please rein in on Dosu Babatunde and Moshood Olagunju who is a native of Iresi and planning to scuttle our elevation. This is what the agenda of Oluresi is and they are doing his bidding.
“If this matter is not managed, it can lead to into big crisis and the commissioner for youth has been threatening to use youths to cause crisis.”
Government reacts
During a chat with InsightMedia at his office, Babatunde denied any external influence but admitted that the Ministry has stepped down the appointment and elevation “pending some investigations”.
He said the “Oluresi and some other traditional rulers in that axis are against the elevation and many have been threatening fire and brimstone. So for now, we want to step it down in order to have time to investigate some issues.”
The Commissioner also said he has informed the two persons to come and pick letters of withdrawal but they haven’t come.
When asked of the issues being investigated are new matter, Babatunde said, “for now, we just want to unravel all issues and investigate them.”
Olagunju reacts
When contacted on, Commissioner for Youth who was fingered in the matter, dissociated himself from it.
He said, “It has nothing to do with me. It’s a matter of community and the entire Boluwaduro traditional council.”
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