Group accuses Makinde of ‘wasting’ over N1.5bn on chiefs’ coronation

…Says exercise targeted at Alli, Oyo senator

…We want tradition, modern governance to deliver progress to Oyo – Makinde

Save Oyo Movement (SOM), a Group in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of wasting billions of State funds on irrelevant ventures, “especially the recent coronation of high chiefs in Ibadan, on which over N1.5 billion was allegedly spent.”

Governor Makinde had coronated three high chiefs in Ibadanland to Obas in their absence. The three high chiefs, Ekeerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Akeem Adewoyin; Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Kola Babalola; and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Sharafadeen Ali, declined invitation for the coronation ceremony.

Rising from its meeting in Ibadan at the weekend, the SOM, in a release signed by its Coordinator, Akeem Oladiti, alleged that in the last few months, Governor Makinde had wasted over N10 billion belonging to Oyo State on his “political misadventures,” including the botched People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention “on which over N5 billion was spent.”

The Group asked when in Yorubaland a governor started coronating Obas in absentia, “such that billions of state funds would be spent to coronate empty chairs as Obas as done by Governor Makinde in Ibadan on Friday.”

It accused Governor Makinde of using the coronation to allegedly target Senator Alli, who was being touted as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State.

SOM, however, clarified that being a traditional ruler did not prevent anyone from aspiring into any public office saying there were many examples of traditional rulers who were working as civil servants.

“It was either Governor Makinde was misled or he misled himself into believing that by coronating Senator Sharafadeen Alli, he would not be qualified to contest for governorship position”, the Group observed.

It disclosed that one of the three high chiefs that the governor coronated in absentia had been due for coronation since 2024.

“The said high chief had written to the governor many times and even raised it when he met the governor. Yet, the governor refused to crown him; but when he (Makinde) saw that Senator Sharafadeen Alli was going to emerge as APC governorship candidate, he suddenly developed interest in the coronation, simply because he opined that it will stop his (Sharafadeen Alli) governorship aspiration,” it alleged.

“But on this one, whether or not Senator Sharafadeen Alli is crowned as a king or not, it will not change the fact that being a traditional is not one of the grounds for disqualifying anyone from contesting for public office,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State while presenting the staff and instruments of office to three new crown-wearing royal fathers in Ibadanland in absentia, at the weekend, stated that his administration would ensure tradition and modern governance work hand in hand to deliver meaningful progress to the State.

He maintained that the elevation of the High Chiefs and their subsequent conferment with beaded crowns speak to a tradition that evolves without losing its essence.

The governor, who stated this at the event held at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan weekend said the conferment of the beaded crowns on the High Chiefs represented a deliberate affirmation of the governor’s commitment to upholding the rule of law while preserving the dignity and relevance of the traditional institutions.

Presenting the instruments of office to the newly-elevated royal fathers, including Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin, the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Oyekola Babalola, SAN, Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Governor Makinde, who was represented by Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, stressed that the approval of the conferment is firmly anchored in the Chiefs Law of Oyo State and guided by the established customs of Ibadanland.

The governor added that the elevation became necessary to avoid creating a vacuum or distorting the well-structured arrangement of the Ibadan traditional system, noting that the traditional institution remains a vital pillar of the society, providing continuity, stability, and a sense of identity for the people.

The governor congratulated the newly-crowned Royal Fathers, assuring that his administration will continue to strengthen its collaboration with traditional rulers as key partners in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development across the state.

He equally noted the presentation of instruments of office to the newly-crowned Royal Fathers was in recognition of their leadership and a reaffirmation that the current administration will continue to see the traditional institution as relevant in governance, peacebuilding and community development.

He said: “There are moments in the life of people when history, culture, and governance converge to produce an enduring legacy. Today is one of such moments. We are not merely gathered to witness a ceremonial rite; we are here to affirm a system that has, for generations, provided structure, order, and identity to Ibadanland. The elevation of these High Chiefs and their subsequent conferment with beaded crowns speak to a tradition that evolves without losing its essence.

“Today marks a defining moment in the evolution of the Ibadan traditional institution and indeed, in the cultural history of Oyo State. It is, therefore, a privilege to join you in witnessing the conferment of beaded crowns on distinguished High Chiefs who have, by merit and tradition, ascended to this revered status.

“This ceremony represents a deliberate affirmation of our commitment as a government to uphold the rule of law while preserving the dignity and relevance of our traditional institutions. “The approval of this conferment is firmly anchored in the Chiefs Ław of Oyo State and guided by the established customs of Ibadanland.

“In line with the provisions of Section 20, Sub-sections (1) and (4) of the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Vol.1, Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000 and by virtue of all other powers enabling in that behalf vests the Executive Governor with the authority to confer beaded crowns on elevated High Chiefs in Ibadanland, hence, this ceremony is being duly conducted. This step has also become necessary to avoid creating a vacuum or distorting the well-structured arrangement of the Ibadan traditional system.

“The traditional Institution remains a vital pillar of our society, thereby providing continuity, stability, and a sense of identity for our people. In recognition of this, our administration will continue to strengthen its collaboration with traditional rulers as key partners in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development across the State.”