Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday presented the Staff of Office to Oba Akintoye Adeoye, the new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo, in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.
Aiyedatiwa charged the traditional ruler to promote peace, unity and development in his domain.
He 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.
The governor recalled that the vacancy followed a judicial pronouncement which nullified the appointment of late Oba Babajide Oluwole.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the court ruled that the late Oba was not a descendant of the Aare Kuigbaigbe Ruling House and consequently ordered that the next person should emerge from that same ruling house.
He explained that the Chieftaincy Declaration registered in 2019 by the deposed traditional ruler 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.
The governor urged the traditional ruler to see his ascension as a call to service and an opportunity to foster peace and unity in the community .
“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,” he said
Aiyedatiwa appealed to other contenders and their supporters to support the new traditional ruler
“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,” he said.
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, adding that “security should be a collective responsibility, not a government affair alone.”
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended the governor’s adherence to due process in the selection of Obas.
He said that the State Executive Council approved Oba Adeoye’s appointment on Oct. 27, 2025, after verifying its conformity with Oke-Igbo’s customs and traditions.
Takuro congratulated the traditional ruler, 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, Chief Adeboye Adebare, described the ceremony as historic, saying the community had been without a traditional ruler for several years.
Adebare praised Aiyedatiwa’s purposeful leadership for resolving the age-long dispute and allowing the people to choose their ruler without government interference.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Adebare promised to promote unity, reconciliation and development in the community.
He described the instrument as a sacred trust and divine mandate, expressing gratitude to God and the governor for the honour.
The traditional ruler announced ₦50,000 each for 100 women traders to boost trade development in the community.
