Ogun Oba Akintunde Akinyemi Suspension: Monarch Probed for Politics

• The Ogun State government suspended Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, for alleged partisan political activities.
• The suspension, effective immediately, was approved by the State Executive Council under Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021.
• Engineer Olusola Okodugha, Asoju Oba of Iselu Kingdom, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to review the suspension, claiming the allegations are false.
• Okodugha questioned the government's consistency, noting another monarch recently conferred chieftaincy titles on prominent opposition figures.
• The government stated that partisan politics by traditional rulers undermines their dignity and threatens community peace.

Okodugha argued that if the government is genuinely concerned about the involvement of traditional ruler political activities, the same standards should be applied uniformly to all monarchs, regardless of their political leanings, to ensure justice and fairness.

The Ogun State government has taken decisive action against Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, located in the Yewa North Local Government Area, by suspending him from his royal duties. This Ogun Oba Akintunde Akinyemi suspension was enacted with immediate effect, pending a comprehensive investigation into allegations of his involvement in partisan political activities. The State Executive Council approved this measure, citing numerous complaints regarding the monarch's conduct, particularly his alleged public engagement in political matters.

The government's decision, conveyed in a letter dated October 20, 2026, and signed by Ganiyu Hamzat, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, underscores its concern that such actions contravene both customary law and statutory prohibitions. Officials warned that traditional rulers engaging in partisan politics risk undermining the revered dignity of the traditional institution and could jeopardize peaceful coexistence among their subjects, who may hold diverse political affiliations. The suspension was therefore deemed necessary in the interest of maintaining peace and order within the community.

Engineer Olusola Okodugha, the Asoju Oba of Iselu Kingdom, has publicly called for a review of the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom suspension. In an open letter addressed to the state government on Sunday, Okodugha vehemently denied the accusations against Oba Akinyemi, asserting that the monarch had not participated in any partisan activities that would justify his removal. Okodugha highlighted that Oba Akinyemi is known as a supporter of the current administration and President Bola Tinubu, as well as an admirer of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress.

Okodugha further questioned the consistency of the government's approach, pointing to recent events where the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, conferred chieftaincy titles upon several prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. These individuals included Oladipupo Adebutu, who received the title of Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba, and his wife, Yeye Adenike Adebutu, honored as Yeye Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba. Other recipients were Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo (Olu Nla Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba), Senator Iyabo Obasanjo (Okanlomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba), Architect Dele Olaleye (Sesogbayi of Oke-Ona Egba), Ambassador Folake Marcus Bello (Oluomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba), Dr Abayomi Tella (Fiwagbola of Oke-Ona Egba), and Chief Abiodun Ogunremi (Otun Olu-Nla of Oke-Ona Egba). Okodugha argued that if the government is genuinely concerned about the involvement of traditional ruler political activities, the same standards should be applied uniformly to all monarchs, regardless of their political leanings, to ensure justice and fairness.

The legal foundation for the Ogun Oba Akintunde Akinyemi suspension is explicitly rooted in Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021. This specific provision empowers the State Executive Council to take disciplinary action, including suspension, against traditional rulers found to be engaging in partisan political activities. The law reflects a broader principle within Nigeria chieftaincy law that seeks to insulate traditional institutions from the direct influence and divisiveness of party politics.

The government's communication emphasized that Oba Akintunde Akinyemi partisan politics was deemed contrary to established customary practices and explicitly forbidden by the aforementioned statute. This legal stance aims to preserve the neutrality and revered status of traditional rulers, who are expected to serve as impartial custodians of culture and community welfare, rather than active participants in political campaigns or affiliations. The enforcement of this section highlights the state's commitment to upholding the integrity of the traditional institution.

The Ogun Oba Akintunde Akinyemi suspension carries significant implications for the role of traditional rulers within the state's governance structure and the broader political landscape. The case underscores the legal risks faced by traditional leaders who are perceived to cross the line into partisan politics, setting a precedent for how the Governor Dapo Abiodun traditional ruler relationship might be managed moving forward. The government's firm stance indicates a resolve to enforce existing laws designed to maintain the apolitical nature of chieftaincy.

The call for a review by Engineer Okodugha, emphasizing the need for consistent application of standards across all monarchs, highlights a critical debate regarding fairness and equity in the enforcement of these laws. His argument suggests that if the government is to effectively curb traditional ruler political activities, it must demonstrate an even-handed approach, ensuring that all instances of alleged partisan involvement are addressed with the same rigor. This incident brings to the forefront the delicate balance between the traditional roles of monarchs and the demands of modern democratic governance, urging a careful consideration of how such suspensions impact the stability and respect accorded to traditional institutions.

Lawyers advising traditional rulers or government bodies in Ogun State should note the enforcement of Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021, which prohibits traditional rulers from partisan political activities. This case highlights the legal risks and potential consequences, such as suspension, for traditional rulers engaging in political conduct, and sets a precedent for compliance monitoring.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online