The people of Ido Ayegunle in Obokun Local Government have spoken out amid the ongoing unrest over the appointment of a new monarch, asserting that the process was legitimate. They accused the Owamiran of Esa-Oke of instigating the crisis.

According to reports, Mr. Lawrence Adebisi, who had been presenting himself as the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, was arrested at his residence by the police on Tuesday night.

Last week, the Osun State Government, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, approved Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the new Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle, a decision that has been widely celebrated by the town’s residents.

In a phone interview, the king-elect, Oba Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi, Aselebe III, dismissed claims made by the Osolo of Esa-Oke, describing them as baseless. He asserted his ancestral ties to Ido Ayegunle, refuting suggestions that his lineage originated from Ilesa.

“Since Governor Ademola Adeleke announced my appointment, my people have been rejoicing because this is what they have long desired,” he stated.

“I am the seventeenth Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle. Our town existed long before Esa-Oke migrated from Esa-Odo to their present location. Historically and traditionally, Ido Ayegunle has no ties to Esa-Oke. The actions of the Owamiran and his supporters are simply an attempt to unlawfully take over our town and undermine the state government’s decision regarding my appointment.”

He urged residents to remain calm and called on the state government to take decisive action against those instigating the crisis, including questioning the Owamiran over his alleged role.

Similarly, Ibironke Busuyi, an indigene of Ido Ayegunle, highlighted the community’s struggles since the passing of the former Olojudo, Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi. She dismissed the claims made by the Owamiran and his allies as false.

“The Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle is a recognized Part Two Oba, not a Baale, as the Osolo of Esa-Oke claims. The traditional stool was elevated from Baale to a full-fledged kingship in 2014 under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola,” she explained.

“Owamiran’s attempt to install a Baale in our town after the death of our former king was a direct violation of the state’s official gazette, and the community rightfully rejected it. He unlawfully appointed Mr. Lawrence Adebisi as the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, despite the fact that such a title does not exist in our town’s monarchical system. Moreover, Mr. Adebisi is from Efon Alaye in Ekiti State, not Ido Ayegunle.”

Another resident, Segun Olasunkanmi, lamented the instability in the town following Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi’s passing. He accused the Owamiran of trying to forcefully bring Ido Ayegunle under his authority.

“Since our late king passed away, peace has eluded us because of Owamiran’s interference. He has attempted to impose an outsider as our leader, disregarding the traditional structure of our community. We urge the state government to summon Owamiran and demand answers as to why he installed a non-indigene as the so-called Obanla of Ido Ayegunle—an illegitimate title in our town. Now that the government has formally recognized our new Olojudo, is Owamiran more powerful than the state? We call on Governor Adeleke to take immediate action and put an end to this crisis.”