alleges use of Makinde’s name to influence Aresa-Adu succession process
The succession battle for the Aresa-Adu stool in Iresa-Adu, Surulere LGA of Oyo State, has taken a dramatic turn, with a member of the Emiolu Ruling House, Prince Tunwagun Adeolu Akanji, accusing the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, of allegedly attempting to frustrate the selection process.
Akanji, an Akewi (traditional chanter), alleged that Olaleye was mounting pressure on members of the ruling house to favour his preferred candidate, Prince Fenwa Popoola.
The allegation has further heightened tension surrounding the vacant traditional stool, coming against the backdrop of what Akanji described as a series of political setbacks suffered by the commissioner in his political career.
In a statement obtained by ITV Online, Akanji said Olaleye and himself were from the Oyeniyi branch of the Emiolu Ruling House.
He alleged that the commissioner had remained in Iresa-Adu since Friday, September 4, canvassing support for Popoola but encountered resistance from members of the family.
Akanji said the alleged failure to secure sufficient support for his preferred candidate had led the commissioner to attempt to frustrate the selection process.
“The commissioner has now resorted to attempting to sabotage the entire selection process,” he alleged.
The development has also revived scrutiny of Olaleye’s political trajectory.
Olaleye, who currently serves as a commissioner in the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, reportedly sought the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest the House of Representatives election in 2022 but was unsuccessful at the party’s primary.
His political setback, according to Akanji, continued in 2026 when his reported attempt to secure the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ticket to contest for the Oyo Central Senatorial District seat also failed.
Akanji further alleged that a candidate backed by the commissioner in the contest for the chairmanship of Surulere Local Government ahead of the forthcoming local government elections was also unsuccessful.
The succession controversy has therefore placed the commissioner at the centre of another politically sensitive contest, although the Aresa-Adu selection process is a traditional matter rather than an electoral contest.
In a video circulating online, Akanji alleged that Olaleye was invoking the name of Governor Makinde to influence stakeholders in the process.
He claimed that the commissioner was allegedly presenting his actions as being carried out on the governor’s directive, an assertion he described as untrue.
“Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye is using Governor Seyi Makinde’s name to intimidate all parties in the process, claiming he is carrying out the governor’s orders,” Akanji alleged.
“This is a lie. Commissioner Olaleye only wishes to use his position to decide who becomes the next Aresa-Adu, even though his candidate is not who the people want.
“Governor Makinde should call him to order, especially now that elections are coming. We are not going to allow this.”
Akanji also urged the governor to distance his administration from any alleged attempt to interfere with the traditional selection process.
He said members of the Oyeniyi branch and the larger Emiolu Ruling House, who had allegedly waited eight years for an opportunity to participate in the succession process, were opposed to what he described as an attempt to impose a candidate.
According to him, any such action could damage the reputation of the Makinde administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are certain Governor Makinde did not authorise all these shenanigans of Mr Olaleye. Governor Makinde has built a good reputation throughout Oyo State,” he said.
“Election is coming, and a sitting commissioner in his administration is actively making efforts to taint Governor Makinde’s achievements.”
Meanwhile, the prolonged controversy over the Aresa-Adu stool has also become a subject of political debate, with opposition parties reportedly using the unresolved succession issue to criticise the Makinde administration.
The situation, however, appeared to have entered a new phase following a letter from the Oyo State Government directing the Emiolu Ruling House to produce a candidate for the Aresa-Adu stool.
The development has reportedly generated excitement among residents, who have been awaiting the resolution of the succession dispute.
However, fresh tension was reportedly recorded on Saturday, September 5, following an alleged attempt to intimidate the Mogaji of the Emiolu Ruling House, Pa Julius Olanipekun, at his residence at about 7pm.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that individuals believed to be loyalists of Olaleye and his preferred candidate, Popoola, were involved in the incident.
An elder of the family, Pa Oyeweso, was also said to have confirmed that an attempt was made to intimidate the Mogaji, adding that the alleged move was resisted by elders who were at the residence at the time.
The allegations could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain Olaleye’s reaction to the allegations, including the claims concerning his political contests and alleged involvement in the Aresa-Adu selection process, were unsuccessful.
The commissioner has not publicly responded to the allegations as of press time.
This Newspaper would keep the public abreast as events unfold.