The Elerin of Erin-Osun, His Royal Majesty Oba Yusuf Adekunle Omoloye (Oyagbodun II), has made a passionate appeal to the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, to intervene and direct the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to immediately release the official approval letters for three elevated traditional rulers in Boluwaduro Local Government Area.
The three monarchs are HRM Oba Adebisi Mukaila Michael, the Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon Land, HRM Oba Ogundele Matthew Olasunkanmi, the Onirante of Irante Land and HRM Oba Bamidele Samson Oluwafemi – The Owa Akinfin of Ikinfin Land.
The appeal follows growing concern over administrative delays in releasing the documents despite Governor Adeleke’s prompt approval of the recommendations made by the Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II).
In an official correspondence dated August 4, 2026, titled “request for the official recognition of the OLOKEOLOORU Obalufon Of Okeolooru Obalufon Land, The Onirante of Irante Land, and The Owa Akinfin of Ikinfin Land as recognized traditional rulers in Osun State, the Ooni of Ife highlighted the historical lineage and cultural significance of the three royal stools:
Ooni said: “Historical records and long-established Yoruba tradition affirm that the Olokeolooru Obalufon of Okeolooru Obalufon Land is a grandson of Obalufon Ogbogbodirin, the third Ooni of Ife, while both the Onirante of Irante Land and the Owa Akinfin of Ikinfin Land are direct sons of Obalufon Ogbogbodirin.”
Oba Adeyeye further emphasized that: “In view of their undeniable historical lineage, traditional legitimacy, and cultural importance, I kindly recommend that the Government of Osun State, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, grant official recognition to the three monarchs and that they be admitted as recognized members of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers.”
The letter was officially received and stamped by both the Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs and the Ministry of Justice on August 4, 2026.
Following Governor Adeleke’s approval, the Deputy Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and Orangun of Ila, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun (Bibiire 1), wrote a letter of appreciation dated October 7, 2026, to the Governor
The Orangun of Ila said ”I write with profound gratitude to appreciate you for the approval of three monarchs to be among the permanent members of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, following the recommendation by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife… Sir, we are so glad that you accepted the recommendation. This is a welcome development and a demonstration of your commitment to fairness, tradition, and inclusive governance.”
In his letter dated October 19, 2026, the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Adekunle Omoloye voiced deep concern that the official letters of approval have not been issued to the kings
He said the approval letters have not been given to those kings. And I heard that governor had treated the letter since 6/8/2026 and chieftaincy had received the letter .”
Underscoring the sacred nature of royal authority and the weight of the Ooni’s office, the Elerin stated: ”For us not to write another letter over this matter, let us respect the letter and do all that is necessary concerning it. Because it will be ridiculous not to honour Ooni letter. Even if the Ooni writes a letter to another state, they must respect his letter concerning kingship matters.”
Reflecting on decades of past struggles to secure recognition for the stools, Oba Omoloye added: “I knew the late Olokeolooru Obalufon, the father of the present Olokeolooru. The late Olokeolooru Obalufon, Oba Okeremi Adebisi Adedokun, struggled to be elevated in 1984 and his file was found missing.
Also, the late Aragbiji and I tried for Olokeolooru Obalufon and Owa Akinfin to be elevated, but all their efforts were in vain then. I was so happy when I heard that our Governor had elevated Olokeolooru Obalufon and Onirante of Irante.”
Speaking on behalf of all Obalufon descendant Obas across Osun State and the wider Yoruba nation including traditional rulers in Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, and Ondo states, the Elerin directly called on the state government to resolve the administrative stall
Stakeholders and traditional leaders across the state continue to look forward to Governor Adeleke’s swift directive to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to release the approval documents without further delay.
