Governor Ademola Adeleke orders action regarding Oba Joseph Oloyede who was jailed in the USA for COVID19 fraud Princes and kingmakers in Ipetumodu clash over dethronement with ruling house tensions deepening .
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped into the growing crisis in Ipetumodu after the conviction and imprisonment of Oba Joseph Oloyede the Apetu of Ipetumodu The intervention by the governor is being viewed as a decisive move that may eventually lead to the monarchs dethronement His order to relevant authorities has already set the stage for a possible vacancy on the ancient throne while the community remains divided over what should follow next .
Who is Oba Joseph Oloyede and Why Was He Jailed
Oba Joseph Oloyede who ascended the Apetu stool of Ipetumodu was recently convicted in the United States on charges linked to COVID19 relief fraud According to the judgment he was found guilty of participating in a fraudulent scheme that involved millions of dollars in false claims and forged tax documents The case which was heard in an Ohio federal court concluded with his conviction and sentencing .
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The court ordered that he serve fifty six months in prison followed by supervised release In addition to the prison term he was directed to pay restitution and penalties that run into millions of dollars The scandal has cast a dark shadow over his reign and has left the community of Ipetumodu deeply unsettled .
Fallout in Ipetumodu Tension Ruling Houses and Uncertainty
Since the news of his conviction broke the town of Ipetumodu headquarters of Ife North Local Government Area has been thrown into tension Residents ruling houses and kingmakers have been struggling to agree on the way forward The central issue is whether the throne should be declared vacant and which of the ruling houses has the right to present a successor .
At the heart of the conflict are the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses both of which have longstanding interests in the stool Princes and their supporters from these families have already begun staking their claims each arguing that the next king should emerge from their line .
However some kingmakers have resisted calls for an immediate dethronement pointing out that the community has not yet received the certified true copy of the American court judgment They also argue that the state government has not formally instructed them to declare the stool vacant making any unilateral decision premature .
Adeleke Deems the Situation Ugly Issues Directives
Governor Adeleke during a recent State Executive Council meeting described the unfolding events in Ipetumodu as ugly and worrisome He expressed concern that the tension in the town could escalate further if not handled properly To address the crisis he directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take immediate steps to resolve the matter .
The governors aim is to restore peace in the community ease the rivalry between the ruling houses and prevent the crisis from spiraling into broader unrest His involvement signals the seriousness of the state government in ensuring that the traditional institution in Ipetumodu does not collapse into chaos .
Responses from Local Leaders
Reactions to the governors move have been mixed Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile ruling house welcomed the intervention saying it would reduce tension and ensure that due process is followed He argued that since Oba Oloyede is in prison and not deceased the stool should return to the Aribile family rather than being transferred to Fagbemokun According to him the situation is not the same as the natural death of a monarch so the succession should not automatically rotate .
On the other hand Chief Sunday Afolabi Adedeji the Asalu of Ipetumodu and head of the kingmakers maintained that they could not act without a formal directive from the government He insisted that until official communication is received the kingmakers cannot declare the stool vacant or begin any process of selecting a new ruler .
Legal and Procedural Hurdles
The debate has highlighted the complex legal and customary procedures involved in dethroning a monarch Some factions believe that the certified true copy of the American judgment must first be obtained before any action is taken Others argue that the government must issue a formal proclamation before the kingmakers can make a move .
This careful approach underscores the sensitivity of traditional leadership in Yoruba culture where customs and modern legal systems often intersect Dethroning a sitting king is never taken lightly as it has implications for tradition lineage and community unity .
What is Likely to Happen Next
With the governors directive now in place pressure is mounting for the Apetu stool to be declared vacant Once that happens the succession battle between the Aribile and Fagbemokun houses will likely intensify If no agreement is reached the government may have to step in again to mediate or impose a solution .
The position of the kingmakers will also be crucial Their decision to either heed Adeleke’s call or continue to wait for formal documents could determine how soon the matter is resolved Meanwhile residents of Ipetumodu are already expressing frustration and anxiety warning that prolonged indecision may lead to unrest .
Implications
The dethronement of Oba Oloyede if it happens will have far reaching implications It will serve as a precedent for how traditional rulers involved in criminal cases abroad are treated at home It also raises questions about the balance between respecting cultural traditions and upholding modern standards of accountability .
For Ipetumodu the issue is not only about who sits on the throne but also about maintaining peace and unity in a period of crisis For Osun State it is a test of the governments ability to manage sensitive traditional matters while preserving the dignity of the institution .
As the situation develops all eyes remain on Governor Adeleke and the kingmakers of Ipetumodu to see whether their next steps will bring stability or deepen divisions .