The long-running supremacy tussle between the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has taken another dramatic turn, with the Olugbon declaring that the Soun has no constitutional authority over his domain while accusing some traditional chiefs of fuelling land disputes under his jurisdiction.
Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers from Surulere Local Government Area, Oba Alao warned individuals allegedly involved in multiple land transactions to desist, insisting that Orile-Igbon lands remain under his custodianship.
Monarchs at the meeting included the Oba Aranyin, Oba Kowonsin, Iba Abegunde, Oba Aresa-Apa, Oba Olujado, Oba Aregba, Oba Alajase and other royal fathers, who reportedly visited the Olugbon’s palace to seek intervention over the lingering controversy.
Addressing the delegation, the Olugbon traced the crisis to a proposed investment by foreign investors planning to establish a company expected to create about 300 jobs in the community.
According to him, the investment has been threatened by allegations circulated online claiming that he sold communal land.
“I heard this morning that they went on the internet alleging that Olugbon sold their land. That is false. Olugbon is the custodian of all lands in Orile-Igbon. There are enough lands available if genuine investors want to establish industries in Igbon,” he said.
Oba Alao alleged that some Baales within his domain had repeatedly ignored palace invitations and continued what he described as unlawful land dealings.
He disclosed that he had earlier informed the Surulere Local Government chairman about the development, adding that the council boss admitted he had repeatedly cautioned those involved without success.
“I summoned them to the palace but they refused to come. They are even evading service of court papers. Some of them sell one parcel of land to three or four different buyers. Others sign documents for land already sold and secretly resell the same property to another person,” the monarch alleged.
He also accused those involved of permitting indiscriminate excavation activities in Aagba, warning that such operations had caused serious environmental degradation.
While acknowledging appeals by the visiting monarchs for reconciliation, the Olugbon said he would only consider the matter after receiving formal letters of apology from those involved.
However, it was his comments on the Soun of Ogbomoso that further reignited the simmering supremacy dispute.
Referring to reports that some of the individuals had sought intervention at the Soun’s palace, Oba Alao declared that the Ogbomoso monarch had no jurisdiction over his kingdom.
“Ghandi’s palace that they went to has no authority over me. Is Ogbomoso North the same as Surulere? Someone who genuinely seeks peace should not be meddling in another person’s domain,” he said.
The monarch further rejected descriptions portraying the Soun as ruler of “Ogbomosoland” or “Ogbomoso Zone.”
“There is nothing like Soun of Ogbomosoland. That is a blatant lie. Go to the Oyo State Government records. Constitutionally, Soun of Ogbomoso is in Ogbomoso North,” he maintained.
A rivalry rooted in history
Latest exchanges add another chapter to an increasingly bitter contest between two of Oyo State’s most prominent traditional rulers over history, territorial authority and seniority.
The dispute intensified in recent months following the restructuring of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, when the Olugbon openly faulted aspects of the arrangement and questioned the historical basis of the Soun’s claim to regional leadership.
Oba Alao has consistently maintained that the Olugbon stool predates the Soun’s and has argued that Ogbomoso itself was founded on land historically belonging to Orile-Igbon.
Soun, on his part, has repeatedly asserted that he is the recognised head of traditional rulers within Ogbomoso zone, insisting that unity and coordinated leadership are essential for regional development.
Earlier this year, the Ogbomoso monarch publicly criticised the Olugbon and the Onpetu of Ijeru for refusing to attend a meeting of traditional rulers he convened, insisting that the Soun remains the paramount traditional authority in Ogbomoso zone.
Monarchs at the meeting included the Oba Aranyin, Oba Kowonsin, Iba Abegunde, Oba Aresa-Apa, Oba Olujado, Oba Aregba, Oba Alajase and other royal fathers, who reportedly visited the Olugbon’s palace to seek intervention over the lingering controversy.
Addressing the delegation, the Olugbon traced the crisis to a proposed investment by foreign investors planning to establish a company expected to create about 300 jobs in the community.
According to him, the investment has been threatened by allegations circulated online claiming that he sold communal land.
“I heard this morning that they went on the internet alleging that Olugbon sold their land. That is false. Olugbon is the custodian of all lands in Orile-Igbon. There are enough lands available if genuine investors want to establish industries in Igbon,” he said.
Oba Alao alleged that some Baales within his domain had repeatedly ignored palace invitations and continued what he described as unlawful land dealings.
He disclosed that he had earlier informed the Surulere Local Government chairman about the development, adding that the council boss admitted he had repeatedly cautioned those involved without success.
“I summoned them to the palace but they refused to come. They are even evading service of court papers. Some of them sell one parcel of land to three or four different buyers. Others sign documents for land already sold and secretly resell the same property to another person,” the monarch alleged.
He also accused those involved of permitting indiscriminate excavation activities in Aagba, warning that such operations had caused serious environmental degradation.
While acknowledging appeals by the visiting monarchs for reconciliation, the Olugbon said he would only consider the matter after receiving formal letters of apology from those involved.
However, it was his comments on the Soun of Ogbomoso that further reignited the simmering supremacy dispute.
Referring to reports that some of the individuals had sought intervention at the Soun’s palace, Oba Alao declared that the Ogbomoso monarch had no jurisdiction over his kingdom.
“Ghandi’s palace that they went to has no authority over me. Is Ogbomoso North the same as Surulere? Someone who genuinely seeks peace should not be meddling in another person’s domain,” he said.
The monarch further rejected descriptions portraying the Soun as ruler of “Ogbomosoland” or “Ogbomoso Zone.”
“There is nothing like Soun of Ogbomosoland. That is a blatant lie. Go to the Oyo State Government records. Constitutionally, Soun of Ogbomoso is in Ogbomoso North,” he maintained.
A rivalry rooted in history
Latest exchanges add another chapter to an increasingly bitter contest between two of Oyo State’s most prominent traditional rulers over history, territorial authority and seniority.
The dispute intensified in recent months following the restructuring of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, when the Olugbon openly faulted aspects of the arrangement and questioned the historical basis of the Soun’s claim to regional leadership.
Oba Alao has consistently maintained that the Olugbon stool predates the Soun’s and has argued that Ogbomoso itself was founded on land historically belonging to Orile-Igbon.
Soun, on his part, has repeatedly asserted that he is the recognised head of traditional rulers within Ogbomoso zone, insisting that unity and coordinated leadership are essential for regional development.
Earlier this year, the Ogbomoso monarch publicly criticised the Olugbon and the Onpetu of Ijeru for refusing to attend a meeting of traditional rulers he convened, insisting that the Soun remains the paramount traditional authority in Ogbomoso zone.
He also argued that some neighbouring monarchs were occupying territories historically associated with Ogbomoso and accused them of attempting to rewrite history.
Those remarks drew sharp reactions from the Olugbon’s camp, which rejected the Soun’s historical claims and maintained that Orile-Igbon has always existed as an independent kingdom with its own traditional authority.
The disagreement has since expanded beyond questions of history to include issues of territorial jurisdiction, land ownership, administrative authority and precedence among Yoruba monarchs.
No fresh response from Soun
As of the time of filing this report, there was no fresh public response from the Soun of Ogbomoso specifically addressing the Olugbon’s latest remarks on the Surulere land dispute or his renewed assertion that the Soun lacks authority over Orile-Igbon.
His most recent publicly reported position remains that the Soun is the recognised traditional head of Ogbomoso zone and that neighbouring monarchs should work with, rather than challenge, the institution in the interest of regional peace and development.
Those remarks drew sharp reactions from the Olugbon’s camp, which rejected the Soun’s historical claims and maintained that Orile-Igbon has always existed as an independent kingdom with its own traditional authority.
The disagreement has since expanded beyond questions of history to include issues of territorial jurisdiction, land ownership, administrative authority and precedence among Yoruba monarchs.
No fresh response from Soun
As of the time of filing this report, there was no fresh public response from the Soun of Ogbomoso specifically addressing the Olugbon’s latest remarks on the Surulere land dispute or his renewed assertion that the Soun lacks authority over Orile-Igbon.
His most recent publicly reported position remains that the Soun is the recognised traditional head of Ogbomoso zone and that neighbouring monarchs should work with, rather than challenge, the institution in the interest of regional peace and development.
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