Palpable fear and tension have gripped the Ayedun town in Oke-Ero Local Government, Kwara State, over the community’s appointment of Prince Jide Abiodun Towoju as the new traditional ruler, the Obajisun of Ayedun.

The Omo Owa Royal Family of Ayedun has formally protested the announcement, describing it as contrary to custom, tradition and the law.

A protest letter dated October 24, 2026 and addressed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signed by the accredited Olori-Ebi (Heads) and representatives of the Traditional Ruling Houses of Ayedun, called for urgent reversal of the appointment to avert breakdown of law and order.

Signed by Pa. Emmanuel Ayobola Arifajogun, Elerebi and Head of Ile Ala Ruling House, and Pa. Simeon Fadeyi, Elerebi and Head of Ebiohun Ruling House, for the entire Ayedun Kingdom, the community said the right to nominate a candidate to fill the vacant stool falls exclusively on the Royal Houses in accordance with extant law and age-long custom of Ayedun.

According to the petitioners: “The state government announced Prince Towoju as the new Obajisun, a first-class traditional ruler, on October 23, 2026, contrary to the nomination duly submitted by the ruling houses and the Iwarefa (Kingmakers Council).”

They said the right to nominate a candidate to fill the vacant stool falls exclusively on the Royal Houses in accordance with extant law and age-long custom of Ayedun.

They disclosed that after performing all traditional rites and consultations, the Ruling Houses unanimously nominated Prince Oluyemi Adeyemi Anthony Adetiba from the Ile-Ala Ruling House, whose turn it is to produce the King.

“His name was forwarded to the Iwarefa Council led by High Chief Bode Obacye Fatokun and subsequently forwarded to the government through the Executive Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government via a letter dated 15th October 2026,” the letter stated.

It argued that under the Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law of Kwara State, the Governor is to act on nominations of the Ruling Houses and Kingmakers and has no power to impose a candidate who was neither presented nor endorsed by competent customary authorities.

The letter also alleged that at a point during the interregnum, the selection process was nearly hijacked by unauthorised persons, and the name of Prince Towoju was fraudulently sent to Government.

It stated that the matter prompted the Oke-Ero Traditional Council to intervene and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to summon all stakeholders to a meeting held on 31st August 2026 at the ministry’s secretariat in Ilorin.

According to the petitioners, the decision at that meeting, as announced by the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, was that all parties should go back home, follow proper process and nominate a Prince acceptable to the whole community.

They said following that directive, the Ruling Houses held meetings on 5th September, 4th and 11th October 2026. At the meeting of 11th October, attended by over 80% of elders, Prince Adetiba was reaffirmed as the majority choice after Ifa consultation and traditional screening. An attendance register was attached as evidence.

This position, they said, was transmitted to the Iwarefa Council via a letter dated 12th October 2026 (Annexure A) and subsequently forwarded to the government by the Iwarefa Council in a letter dated 15th October 2026 (Annexure B), with four of the five High Chiefs endorsing Adetiba, while one abstained.

The Ruling Houses warned that Ayedun town has been on tension since the announcement.

“Youths are aggrieved, elders are mourning, markets did not open this morning, and there is a clear and present danger of this brewing tension snowballing into violence and inter-family clashes if not urgently addressed. We have been struggling to restrain our people,” the letter read.

Consequently, theytherefore demanded: the Immediate withdrawal of the announcement of Prince Jide Abiodun Towoju as the King.

Also, they asked for the Immediate confirmation and issuance of a letter of appointment to Prince Oluyemi Adeyemi Anthony Adetiba as the only candidate validly nominated by competent customary authorities.

“That Government should refrain from any action, installation or presentation of staff of office to any person pending resolution of the dispute in the interest of peace,” they sought.

The petitioners appealed to Governor AbdulRazaq, whom they described as a man of justice and due process, expressing confidence that he was misled by vested interests who concealed material facts.

“The peace of Ayedun town, which is a strategic and largely peaceful kingdom in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, is now at stake. We appeal to you to act as a father to all and avert an avoidable communal crisis,” they added.

The letter was copied the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary Chieftaincy Affairs, Commissioner of Police, Director DSS, Chairman Oke-Ero Traditional Council, Chairman Oke-Ero LGA and the Iwarefa of Ayedun.