Tension Rocks Ipetumodu as Princes Clash Over Apetumodu Throne After U.S. Conviction of Oba Oloyede

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Ipetumodu town in Osun State was thrown into tension on Tuesday as a meeting of princes ended in chaos following calls for Governor Ademola Adeleke to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant. This comes after the conviction of the current monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States over COVID-19 loan fraud.

Chaos Over Move to Declare Stool Vacant

The meeting, held at the palace and chaired by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, began around 4 p.m. with discussions on the way forward for the throne. Trouble started when a prince urged Adedeji, the most senior surviving kingmaker, to write to Governor Adeleke declaring the stool vacant following the monarch’s sentencing.

Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu, was sentenced to over four years in prison in the U.S. and ordered to forfeit assets and pay more than $4.4 million in restitution for his role in defrauding COVID-19 loan programmes under the CARES Act between April 2020 and February 2022.

However, Adedeji rejected the proposal and announced his withdrawal from any move to dethrone the monarch, a decision that reportedly sparked heated arguments among princes and disrupted the meeting around 6 p.m.

Princes, Kingmakers, and Government in Deadlock

Olaboye Ayoola from the Aribile Ruling House expressed disappointment, revealing that the meeting had agreed to elect two new kingmakers and inform the state government about the vacant throne, only for Adedeji to refuse.

“Chief Adedeji’s decision led to chaos, and the meeting ended without any agreement,” Ayoola lamented.

When contacted, Adedeji confirmed his position, saying, “It is true. Peace has to reign first,” before declining further comment.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, told journalists that the government would obtain a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before deciding on the monarch’s fate.

Rivalry Between Ruling Houses Deepens

Since the conviction, divisions have emerged between the two ruling houses — Aribile, which produced Oba Oloyede, and Fagbemokun. Some Aribile princes insist the throne should remain with them until the monarch completes his sentence, while others demand a replacement from the same house.

On the other hand, Fagbemokun princes argue that the next Apetumodu should come from their lineage, citing tradition and fairness.

Security Tight as Palace Meeting Ends Abruptly

Security operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) were stationed at the palace throughout the meeting to prevent any outbreak of violence as tensions rose over the matter.

With pressure mounting, all eyes are now on Governor Adeleke and the state government to break the deadlock and determine the fate of the embattled monarch.

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