Controversial Elevations: Alago-Oja Revived as Oba as Makinde Presents Staffs of Office to 14 Chiefs

 

The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has proceeded with the elevation and coronation of 14 high chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas, including the controversial Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land. This occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Olivet Baptist High School (also referred to as Oliver Baptist Height School) in Oyo township.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal (or Adebayo Lawal in some reports), presented the new monarchs with staffs of office, crowns, and instruments of office. Makinde described the move as strengthening traditional institutions, promoting grassroots peace, development, and collaboration with government.

The newly elevated Obas include:

Oba David Oyediran – Alaaguo of Aguoland

Oba Afonja Mukaila – Baba Eyaji (or Baba Iyaji) of Oyo

Oba Samuel Odurinde – Alajagba of Oyo

Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye – Ona-Isokun of Oyo

Oba Fakayode Alowonle – Onimileke of Imileke Oyo

Oba Salawu Oyeniran – Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo

Oba Olaniyi Adegboye – Oloodu of Ojongbodu

Oba Tijani Ajeigbe – Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara

Oba Oyeleke Yusuff – Onidode of Idodeland

Oba Lamidi Jimoh – Iba Samu of Oyo Empire

Oba Ganiyu Busari – Alago-Oja (or Oloja) of Ago-Oja Land

Oba Asimiyu Jimoh – Agbaaki (or Agbaakin) of Oyo

Oba Jimoh Oyeleye – Alakeitan (or Alaketan) of Akeitan

Oba Abel Oyekan – Elepe of Iseke

The elevation of Oba Ganiyu Busari as Alago-Oja (previously Baale Ago-Oja) has sparked controversy. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, filed a motion on notice dated January 30, 2026, in Appeal No. SC/404/2018 before the Supreme Court in Abuja. This seeks interlocutory and mandatory injunctions to restrain the Oyo State Governor and Attorney-General from creating, recognizing, elevating, or installing anyone in the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy stool.

The suit, originally instituted by the late Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, cites prior judgments: a 2007 Oyo State High Court ruling (Suit No. HOY/46/2006 or similar) declaring the "Baale of Ago-Oja" title non-existent in Atiba Local Government Area, restraining recognition of Busari, and a 2017 Court of Appeal affirmation dismissing related appeals. The Alaafin argues that proceeding disregards subsisting court orders and could prejudice the pending appeal.

Despite this pending Supreme Court motion seeking to halt the exercise, Governor Makinde went ahead, highlighting ongoing tensions between the state government and the Alaafin over chieftaincy matters in Oyoland.