32-year-old Oba Adewale becomes Ekiti’s youngest monarch

By Boye Oyeyemi

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the new Owa of Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Adewale, making the 32-year-old the youngest traditional ruler in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Monisade Afuye, the governor said the installation reflected his administration’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the traditional institution through a policy of non-interference in the selection of monarchs.

He described the process that produced the new monarch as transparent, credible and free from manipulation, stressing that adherence to chieftaincy declarations and due process remained essential to sustaining peace.

According to him, imposing traditional rulers on communities often triggers unnecessary disputes, adding that the emergence of Oba Adewale demonstrated respect for both tradition and the law. He urged the monarch to unite his people and mobilise residents for the development of Ayegbaju-Ekiti.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, said the stool became vacant following the death of the immediate past Owa, Oba Solomon Adeloye, on February 15, 2024. He added that the selection process, which included Ifa consultation, eventually produced Oba Adewale.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended the state government for handling chieftaincy matters without controversy and urged residents to support the new monarch for peace and development.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Adewale thanked the governor, kingmakers and the people of Ayegbaju-Ekiti for a peaceful selection process. He pledged to lead with humility, fairness and inclusiveness, while appealing to the state government for more infrastructure and political appointments for the community.

Responding, the state government pledged stronger collaboration with traditional rulers and reaffirmed its readiness to address insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry, which have continued to threaten some communities across the state.