Moves to declare the throne of the Apetumodu vacant following the conviction of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede in the United States have ended in chaos.
This comes after a meeting of princes of Ipetumodu, Osun State held on Tuesday ended in chaos after calls were made for Governor Ademola Adeleke to dethrone Oba Oloyede.
Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu, was recently sentenced to over four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud. He was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay more than $4.4 million in restitution.
The meeting, held at the palace and presided over by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, began around 4 p.m. without incident. Problems arose when a prince demanded that Adedeji, as the most senior surviving kingmaker, formally write to the governor declaring the stool vacant.
Chief Adedeji rejected the request and reportedly recused himself from any decision regarding the throne.
His refusal sparked arguments among the princes, causing the meeting to break down around 6 p.m.
Expressing disappointment, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House said:
“During the meeting, we all decided that two new kingmakers should be elected to replace the deceased ones and a letter written to the governor declaring the seat vacant. But Chief Adedeji refused, insisting we won’t do that. He also announced he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker. That led to chaos, and the meeting ended without any resolution.”
Chief Adedeji later confirmed his stance, stating, “It is true. Peace has to reign first,” before declining further comment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio confirmed Oba Oloyede’s sentencing on August 26, 2025.
He and a co-conspirator were found guilty of exploiting COVID-19 loan programs under the CARES Act between April 2020 and February 2022.
The monarch’s conviction has left Ipetumodu unsettled, with calls mounting for the state government to determine the future of the stool.
Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, said the government would first obtain a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before taking any action.
Divisions have emerged between the town’s two ruling houses — Aribile, which produced Oba Oloyede, and Fagbemokun.
Some members of Aribile argue the throne should remain with them until Oloyede completes his sentence, while others want a new monarch chosen from their house. Fagbemokun princes insist the next Apetumodu should come from their family.
