The Kingmakers of Pako in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State have raised strong objections to what they described as persistent interference, intimidation, and obstruction in the selection process of a new Onipako of Pako, allegedly involving the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke.
In a formal petition written by their legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), and addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, the kingmakers alleged that the Local Government Chairman has deliberately frustrated the conclusion of a kingship process that has lingered for over fourteen years.
The kingmakers recalled that following prolonged disputes over the vacant stool, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters intervened in November 2022 by constituting an investigative panel on the Baale of Pako Chieftaincy. Subsequent official directives issued between October 2023 and September 2024 reportedly instructed the kingmakers to proceed with the selection of a substantive Onipako from the two remaining ruling houses—Onigilakala/Atobiiporo and Olugbite/Okunromade—after other ruling houses voluntarily withdrew.
According to the petition, the government further directed that the final selection be conducted between Prince Lateef Okesola Akintola Orimadegun and Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu. At a duly convened selection meeting held on March 25, 2024, Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu reportedly emerged winner with 10 out of 13 votes cast by the kingmakers.
However, the process was allegedly disrupted by the Jagun of Pako, Chief Moyo Ajibode, who was accused of staging a walkout and later orchestrating acts of intimidation at the venue. Due to rising security concerns, the exercise was subsequently relocated to the Ibarapa Central Local Government Secretariat.
At another selection exercise held on December 10, 2025, nine out of eleven participating chiefs again voted in favour of Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu. The kingmakers stated that the final report of the exercise was formally submitted to the Local Government Chairman for onward transmission to the Governor for approval.
They expressed deep concern that Hon. Sola Adeleke allegedly withheld the report, threatened to overturn the majority decision of the kingmakers, and continued to shield what they described as the personal interests of Chief Moyo Ajibode, actions they claimed run contrary to Pako customs, due process, and existing government directives.
The kingmakers warned that the prolonged vacancy of the Onipako stool has significantly hindered development in Pako and could pose a threat to peace and stability if the matter remains unresolved. They emphasized that, by tradition and law, the exclusive right to select the Onipako rests with the body of kingmakers, while government authorities are only mandated to observe, document, and transmit the outcome for final approval.
They therefore appealed to Governor Makinde to urgently intervene, rein in the alleged excesses of the Local Government Chairman, and approve Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu as the duly selected Onipako of Pako in the interest of peace, justice, and sustainable community development.
The petition concluded with a call for swift action to avert a looming crisis and to preserve the peace and harmony currently enjoyed in Oyo State under the present administration.
