By Salam Saheed
The selection process for the vacant Baale Iya chieftaincy stool in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State has been suspended indefinitely following lingering disagreements among members of the royal family and legal complications surrounding the succession exercise.
The development marks another twist in the unfolding controversy over the emergence of a successor to the late Chief (Alhaji) Raimi Ayiki Boorepo, as efforts to conduct the selection exercise have been put on hold pending further resolution of the issues surrounding the matter.
The postponement comes against the backdrop of a formal petition submitted by three aggrieved members of the Baale Iya royal family to the Saki West Local Government, protesting what they described as the unilateral manner in which the acting family head, Prince Hamsat Adedibu Elesin, allegedly fixed the date and venue for the selection exercise.
In the petition dated November 2, 2026, and addressed to the local government chairman, the aggrieved family members, through their solicitor, Alhaji K. A. Adegoke, accused the acting family head of allegedly sidelining principal stakeholders in decisions concerning the succession process.
The solicitor disclosed that he was acting on behalf of Alhaji Rasaki Gbadamosi Olubodun of the Olubodun family, Mr Sarafa Lateef of the Oyebisi family and Mr Waidi Soliu of the Olagbenro family.
They alleged that the arrangements for the selection exercise were made without adequate consultation or the collective concurrence of principal members of the royal family, contrary to an earlier understanding reportedly reached at a general family meeting.
The petitioners consequently called on the local government to review the arrangements, warning that the alleged exclusion of critical stakeholders could aggravate existing tensions and undermine the credibility of the succession process.
They also proposed that the meeting be rescheduled and relocated to a neutral venue, suggesting either the Saki West Local Government Secretariat or the palace of the Okere of Saki to guarantee fairness, transparency and adequate security.
However, the latest development indicates that the selection process has now been postponed until further notice, with the lingering disagreements and litigation surrounding the matter identified as the major considerations necessitating the suspension.
The development is expected to provide an opportunity for the outstanding issues to be addressed before further steps are taken towards filling the vacant traditional stool.
This newspaper will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Baale Iya chieftaincy succession and keep readers informed of subsequent decisions by the local government, relevant authorities and members of the royal family.