A brewing disagreement over the succession process for the vacant Baale Iya chieftaincy stool in Saki has taken a new dimension, following a formal petition by three principal members of the royal family to the Saki West LGA, 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.
This newspaper can authoritatively report that,the aggrieved family members, through their solicitor, Alhaji K. A. Adegoke, accused Prince Elesin of allegedly sidelining principal stakeholders in the royal family and taking decisions concerning the succession process without the requisite consultation and collective concurrence of other members.
In a protest letter dated November 2, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of Saki West LG, the solicitor called for an immediate review of the proposed arrangements, warning that the alleged exclusion of key stakeholders could precipitate avoidable acrimony, internal dissension and a possible breakdown of peace in the Iya axis of Saki.
Adegoke disclosed that he was acting on behalf of Alhaji Rasaki Gbadamosi Olubodun, representing the Olubodun family; Mr Sarafa Lateef of the Oyebisi family; and Mr Waidi Soliu of the Olagbenro family, all of whom belong to the Baale Iya royal and chieftaincy family.
According to the petition, an earlier general meeting of the royal family, held with the involvement of the local government council, had reportedly established an understanding that Prince Elesin, in his capacity as acting Mogaji or family head, would ensure an all-inclusive decision-making process and carry every principal member along in matters relating to the emergence of a successor to the late Chief (Alhaji) Raimi Ayiki Boorepo.
The solicitor, however, expressed displeasure over what he described as a flagrant departure from the understanding, alleging that the acting family head subsequently convened discussions with some local government officials and unilaterally determined the date for the selection meeting without the input or participation of other critical stakeholders.
He further alleged that the development had heightened apprehension among his clients, who suspected that the process might be manipulated to favour a preferred candidate at the expense of a transparent, equitable and generally acceptable selection procedure.
The petition also raised concerns over the alleged exclusion of one of the interested candidates, Rasak Olubodun, from the arrangements already made for the exercise.
Adegoke cautioned that the unfolding situation required urgent administrative intervention, noting that the Iya axis of Saki was historically sensitive to issues bordering on perceived oppression, marginalisation and the imposition of decisions without broad-based consultation.
He warned that allowing the disagreement to degenerate could expose residents and government officials to unnecessary security risks, insisting that the local government should take proactive measures to forestall any eventuality.
Consequently, the solicitor proposed a two-pronged resolution, urging the council to shift the proposed meeting to either Monday, November 9, or Tuesday, November 10, 2026, subject to the convenience of the authorities.
He also advocated the relocation of the meeting from the Baale Iya Palace or any other traditional palace within the Iya axis to a neutral and less contentious environment, suggesting either the Saki West Local Government Secretariat or the palace of the Okere of Saki.
He argued that holding the exercise at a neutral venue would eliminate any perception of territorial or institutional advantage, while providing security agencies with a more conducive atmosphere to effectively discharge their responsibilities and maintain law and order.
The lawyer appealed to the local and state governments not to treat the petition with levity, urging them to intervene decisively before the disagreement escalated beyond administrative control.
Copies of the petition were forwarded to Governor Seyi Makinde; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; the Oyo State Commissioner of Police; the Director of the Department of State Services; the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer in Saki; the Okere of Saki, Oba (Dr.) Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi; and other relevant government and security authorities.
The petitioners expressed confidence in the capacity of the relevant authorities to resolve the disagreement amicably and guarantee a transparent, inclusive and peaceful process for filling the vacant Baale Iya chieftaincy stool.
