Apetu Stool Crisis: Ipetumodu Stakeholders Give Adeleke Seven-day Ultimatum

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is facing mounting pressure from stakeholders in Ipetumodu town to take decisive action over the lingering vacuum in the Apetu stool.

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The call comes amid growing concerns that the prolonged absence of a traditional ruler is beginning to destabilise the town’s traditional, administrative and territorial structures.

Naija News reports that the community leaders, including kingmakers and representatives of the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses, voiced their concerns during a press conference held on Thursday in Ipetumodu.

They warned that the continued delay in addressing the issue could further deepen tensions within the community.

According to the stakeholders, the absence of a monarch has already started to impact governance at the grassroots level, with disputes and administrative lapses becoming more frequent.

The groups urged the state government to formally declare the Apetu stool vacant and immediately commence the process of selecting a new monarch within seven days.

Speaking on behalf of the ruling houses, Prince Dele Oyebade disclosed that all necessary legal documents, including a Certified True Copy of the court judgment, had been submitted to the government.

He said, “The documents have been made available, yet no action has followed. This delay is causing avoidable tension within the community.”

Oyebade further suggested that the governor might not have been fully briefed on the matter, particularly by the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency, Akinyode Oyewusi.

He added, “All actions capable of delaying justice in this matter must cease immediately to preserve the integrity of the institution.”

At the centre of the crisis is the continued recognition of Oba Joseph Oloyede, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States follow ing a fraud conviction.

The monarch was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by Christopher A. Boyko to 56 months’ imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy involving COVID-19 relief funds.

According to the United States(US) authorities, “the scheme involved exploiting emergency loan programmes intended to support small businesses during the pandemic.”

Court filings revealed that assets linked to the crime, including a residential property in Medina, Ohio, and over $96,000, were forfeited.

In addition to his prison term, the monarch was ordered to pay restitution exceeding $4.4 million and would undergo supervised release after completing his sentence.

Another community representative, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, linked emerging local challenges directly to the absence of a recognised monarch.

“We are giving the government seven days to respond. The town cannot continue without leadership, as this situation is already affecting our land and traditions,” he said.

Ayoola noted that neighbouring communities were already taking advantage of the leadership vacuum to encroach on disputed territories, while key cultural rites have been put on hold.

Also speaking, the Aresa of Ipetumodu, Chief Lawrence Odewale, called for immediate government intervention to restore order.

He urged the authorities to appoint warrant chiefs who would support the kingmakers in facilitating the emergence of a new monarch.

“Declaring the stool vacant is necessary to restore order and enable the kingmakers to carry out their responsibilities without further delay,” he said.

Naija News understands that the development has heightened anxiety within Ipetumodu, as residents await the state government’s response to what many now describe as a test of its commitment to preserving traditional institutions and ensuring community stability.