Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday, November 3, 2025, officially presented the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to Oba Akintoye Felix Adeoye as the new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area, charging him to promote peace, unity and development in his domain.
Speaking at the ceremony at Oke-Igbo, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the event marked the end of a long-drawn traditional and legal tussle that had left the stool of Olu-Oke vacant for years.
He recalled that the vacancy followed a judicial pronouncement which nullified the appointment of the late Oba Babajide Lawrence Oluwole.
According to him, the court ruled that the late Oba was not a descendant of the Aare Kuigbaigbe Ruling House and consequently ordered that the next monarch should emerge from that same ruling house.
The Governor explained that the Chieftaincy Declaration registered in 2019 by the deposed monarch was rendered null and void by the judgment, restoring the native laws and customs of Oke-Igbo as the valid guide for the selection process.
Commending the kingmakers for their sincere and invaluable roles, the Governor urged the new monarch to see his ascension as a call to service and an opportunity to foster peace and unity in Oke-Igbo.
He said, “Kabiyesi, you are now a father to all. Forget the acrimony of the past and do not use your position to victimise perceived opponents or rivals. I pray that Oke-Igbo will witness peace, growth and development during your reign.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa also appealed to other contenders and their supporters to support the new monarch, saying, “The interest of Oke-Igbo must be placed above all personal interests. You should all see the emergence of the new king as the will of God for your town.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, saying the government had invested heavily in strengthening the Amotekun Corps and supporting other security agencies.
He enjoined residents to be vigilant and collaborate with security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, stressing that “security should be a collective responsibility, not a government affair alone.”
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, the Governor noted that the government had approved the construction of 5km of roads in each of the 18 local government areas, renovated health centres across the state, and recruited health personnel to improve service delivery.
“Our traditional rulers remain vital partners in promoting peace, harmony and unity,” the governor added. “We will continue to respect and empower our Obas as custodians of culture, but they must also complement government’s efforts through intelligence gathering and community mobilisation.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended the governor’s adherence to due process in the selection of Obas, noting that the Executive Council approved Oba Adeoye’s appointment on October 27, 2025, after verifying its conformity with Oke-Igbo’s customs and traditions.
He congratulated the new monarch, assuring that other vacant stools across the state would soon be filled in line with due process.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government, Adeboye Adebare, described the ceremony as historic, saying the community had been without an Oba for several years.
He praised Aiyedatiwa’s purposeful leadership for resolving the age-long dispute and allowing the people to choose their monarch without government interference.
Adebare thanked the governor for achieving what previous administrations could not, attributing the success to his competence, resourcefulness and sensitivity to the people’s aspirations.
In his acceptancespeech, the newly installed Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Oke-Igbo Kingdom, Oba Adeoye, vowed to promote unity, reconciliation and development in the community.
Oba Adeoye described the instrument as a sacred trust and divine mandate, expressing gratitude to God and the governor for the honour.
To boost grassroots trade, he announced ₦50,000 each for 100 women traders, dedicated to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s empowerment initiative.
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Urging reconciliation among indigenes, Oba Adeoye appealed for unity and collective effort to rebuild the kingdom. “Let us join hands to write a new, glorious chapter for Oke-Igbo,” he said.
