Tension as Kingmakers Disagree Over Move to Dethrone Jailed Osun Monarch
- The princes in Ipetumodu, Osun State, could not agree on the call to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant
- One of the princes asked the most senior surviving kingmaker to write a formal letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke to declare the throne vacant
- The Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, rejected the move to declare the stool vacant after Oba Joseph Oloyede was jailed in the United States
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Ipetumodu, Osun State - The meeting of the princes in Ipetumodu, Osun State, ended in disagreement over a call to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant.
The call was made on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede in the United States.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng recalls that Oba Oloyede was sentenced to more than four years in prison in the U.S. for COVID-19 loan fraud.
Tension erupted when a prince demanded that the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, as the most senior surviving kingmaker, write a formal letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke declaring the throne vacant.
As reported by The Punch, Adedeji rejected the request to declare the throne vacant during the meeting held within the palace premises.
Adedeji reportedly recused himself from any move to declare the stool vacant, which sparked a shouting match among the attendees.
The meeting, which started around 4 pm, broke down around 6 p.m.
A prince from the Aribile Ruling House, Olaboye Ayoola, narrated what led to Adedeji’s refusal during the meeting.
“During the meeting, we all decided that two new kingmakers should be elected to replace the deceased ones, and a letter was written to the governor declaring the seat vacant. But Chief Adedeji refused, insisting we won’t do that. He also announced he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker. That led to chaos, and the meeting ended without any resolution.”
Adedeji insisted on rejecting the request to declare the throne vacant when he was contacted after the meeting.
“It is true. Peace has to reign first.”
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, said the government will take action after obtaining a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment.
Division among Ipetemdu princes
There is division among the princes of the two ruling houses — Aribile, which produced Oba Oloyede, and Fagbemokun.
It was gathered that some princes in Aribile argue that the throne should remain with them until Oloyede completes his sentence.
Others insist a replacement should be chosen from the same house among those who previously contested the stool.
Osun monarch admits to $4.2M COVID-19 fraud in US
Oba Joseph Oloyede and Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi pleaded guilty in the U.S. to COVID-19 relief fraud involving $4.2 million.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses after falsifying applications for pandemic-related financial aid.
Oba Oloyede’s long absence from Ipetumodu, following his arrest in the U.S., has caused concern among residents and calls for the state government's intervention.
Osun monarch faces COVID-19 fraud trial in US
In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that Oba Oloyede faced a COVID-19 fraud trial in the United States.
The monarch was said to have been indicted in the US for allegedly submitting falsified PPP and EIDL loan applications in the names of other co-conspirators.
Oba Oloyede and another suspect, Edward Oluwasanmi, were charged by a federal court in Cleveland.
Source: Legit.ng
