Osun Govt releases documents to justify Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle’s appointment

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has released official documents, including a 2005 gazette, to justify the recent appointment of Prince Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, on Tuesday.
The state government also vowed to prosecute those responsible for the arson and killings that occurred on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Among the documents released is the official gazette of the state government dated 2005, which affirmed the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland—not the Owamiran of Esa-Oke—as the prescribed authority over Ido Ayegunle.
Two other documents include the 2014 elevation of the Oba Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle to Part II Recognized Status, a decision conveyed to the late Olojudo by both the local government and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland’s palace.
Alimi stated that Governor Adeleke’s administration had only followed due process, as evidenced by legal and administrative documents predating the current government.
According to the statement, the administration adhered to legal procedures at its State Executive Council meeting, which approved the new Olojudo’s appointment.
Further details provided by the Commissioner are as follows:
“On July 16, 1995, a communal clash occurred between Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle, resulting in the loss of a life and the destruction of property after Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was appointed Baale of Ido Ayegunle by the then Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
“In July 1998, the state government set up a one-man inquiry into the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy to investigate areas and settlements traditionally associated with Esa-Oke and determine whether Ido Ayegunle was among them, as well as to establish the rightful Prescribed Authority between the Owamiran of Esa-Oke and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
“The inquiry found that, despite their geographical proximity and being within the same local government, Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle had no traditional or customary relationship. It concluded that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to serve as the Prescribed Authority over the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy.
“This decision was affirmed by the then State Executive Council on March 31, 2005, which approved that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should remain the Prescribed Authority over Ido Ayegunle. The then governor signed the legal order on November 28, 2005.
“The Baale appointed by the Owa Obokun in 1995, Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi, was recommended for elevation in 2014 by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. This recommendation was approved by the then State Executive Council in July 2014, elevating the stool of the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle to Part II Recognized Status, with the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland as the Consenting Authority.
“Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi passed away in October 2021, and the process to fill the stool began after his burial rites were completed. Three candidates contested for the vacant stool, and Prince Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi emerged as the Olojudo-elect, securing unanimous support with six votes from the Kingmakers of Ido Ayegunle.
“This selection was affirmed at the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, which approved the appointment of Oba Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle,” the statement concluded.