An Oba in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently address the prolonged vacancy of the Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu throne, which has remained unoccupied for nearly eight years.
His Royal Highness, Oba Lasisi Olagbemileke Oladimeji, the Aranyin of Iranyin, made the call while expressing concern over the implications of the vacant stool for unity, traditional authority and security within the affected communities. Oba Oladimeji ascended the throne in 2023 and is regarded as one of the prominent traditional rulers in the area.
Iranyin, a boundary community on Aresa-Adu land, shares borders with Ifon in Osun State and has experienced boundary-related tensions in the past. The monarch noted that the absence of a substantive Aresa-Adu has created a leadership gap across several towns and villages under the traditional jurisdiction.
In his appeal, Oba Oladimeji commended Governor Makinde for his record in resolving chieftaincy disputes across Oyo State, including in Ibadan, Oyo and other towns. He urged the governor to extend similar intervention to the Aresa-Adu stool to restore stability and preserve historical continuity.
According to him, the matter is of personal and ancestral importance, as he belongs to the Aresa chieftaincy family and shares historical ties with the vacant throne. He described the Aresa-Adu as a first-class monarch in Yoruba history and emphasized that the traditional structure of the land cannot be complete without the installation of its paramount ruler.
Oba Oladimeji further stressed that several communities under Aresa-Adu land currently have crowned Obas and Baales, some with centuries-old heritage. However, he noted that the continued vacancy of the central throne weakens coordination, particularly in addressing land encroachment and security challenges affecting border towns and villages, including Iranyin.
He expressed concern over emerging security threats in border communities, stating that a duly installed Aresa-Adu would provide stronger traditional leadership needed to collaborate with government authorities in combating insecurity and safeguarding local territories.
The monarch recalled raising the issue of the vacant stool and related security concerns during the governor’s recent visit to Surulere Local Government Area. He maintained that Governor Makinde has demonstrated commitment to resolving traditional leadership disputes through executive action and expressed confidence that the Aresa-Adu matter would receive similar attention.
While praying for the state government, Oba Oladimeji reiterated his belief that the governor remains responsive to the concerns of the people and will act decisively to resolve the long-standing vacancy of the Aresa-Adu throne.
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