The Asoju Oba of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Engineer Olusola Okodugha, has urged the state government to review the suspension of the Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, over alleged partisan political activities.
In an open letter to the state government on Sunday, Okodugha described the allegations against the monarch as false, insisting that he had not engaged in any partisan activities to warrant his suspension.
Okodugha was reacting to the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State by the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, on Thursday.
The PDP figures honoured include Oladipupo Adebutu, who was installed as Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba; his wife, Yeye Adenike Adebutu, as Yeye Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba; and Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo as Olu Nla Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba.
Others are Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, who received the title of Okanlomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba; Architect Dele Olaleye as Sesogbayi of Oke-Ona Egba; Ambassador Folake Marcus Bello as Oluomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba; Dr Abayomi Tella as Fiwagbola of Oke-Ona Egba; and Chief Abiodun Ogunremi as Otun Olu-Nla of Oke-Ona Egba.
The Asoju Oba, in a statement made available to Online, questioned the rationale behind Akinyemi’s suspension, arguing that the conferment of traditional titles on opposition figures by another monarch should also be considered when assessing allegations of partisan political involvement.
“If the government is concerned about the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, the same standard should apply to every monarch, irrespective of their political affiliations. Justice and fairness must be seen to be served,” he said.
He urged the Ogun State Government to reconsider its decision and lift the monarch’s suspension.
“What happened on Thursday is a clear sign of partisan politics, with the installation of opposition figures by the Osile of Oke-Ona. Meanwhile, Oba Akintunde is a supporter of the incumbent administration and President Bola Tinubu.
“He doesn’t deserve to be suspended. He is a lover of Prince Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress.
“We are appealing to Governor Dapo Abiodun to look into this matter again and ensure that Oba Akintunde Akinyemi is given a fair hearing. The traditional institution should not be subjected to unnecessary political controversies,” he added.
Online reports that the Ogun State Government suspended Oba Akinyemi with immediate effect over alleged partisan political activities.
The suspension was approved by the State Executive Council pursuant to Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021, pending a detailed investigation into the allegations against the monarch.
The decision was conveyed in a letter dated October 20, 2026, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat.
According to the letter, “the council acted following several complaints concerning the traditional ruler’s conduct, particularly his alleged involvement in overtly partisan political activities, some of which were reportedly publicised by him.”
The government noted that partisan politics was contrary to customary law and prohibited by statute, warning that such conduct could undermine the dignity of the traditional institution and threaten peaceful coexistence among subjects with different political affiliations.
It said the suspension was in the interest of peace, order and good governance in Ogun State, particularly in Iselu Kingdom, while the allegations were subjected to an official and detailed review.