Ooni Intervenes: Olufon Ifon-Omima Stool Crisis in Ondo State

• The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has intervened in the six-year-long Olufon of Ifon-Omima chieftaincy dispute in Ondo State.
• The stool became vacant in 2020 after Oba Israel Adeusi's death, with no successor installed due to disagreements over the selection process.
• Oba Peter Ipadeola, acting on behalf of the Ooni, urged contestants to prioritize community interests and seek a peaceful resolution.
• The Ondo State government rejected a committee's proposal to open the contest, citing a lack of supporting chieftaincy declaration.
• Community leaders highlighted the negative impact of the vacant stool on representation and development, while also calling for an investigation into the late monarch's death.

The absence of a traditional ruler for six years has severely hampered the community's ability to secure governmental representation and advocate for essential development initiatives.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has stepped into the protracted six-year chieftaincy dispute surrounding the vacant Olufon of Ifon-Omima stool, located in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. The revered monarch dispatched Oba Peter Ipadeola, the traditional ruler of Ifon-Osun in Osun State, to the community on a Saturday with a clear mandate: to foster reconciliation among the various contestants and other key stakeholders. This high-profile intervention underscores the significant concern within traditional leadership circles regarding the prolonged leadership vacuum.

During his visit, Oba Ipadeola conveyed the Ooni's earnest appeal for all parties involved to embrace dialogue and prioritize peaceful resolution over individual ambitions. He stressed that the Ooni's primary desire was to see the dispute resolved amicably, bringing an end to the impasse that has plagued Ifon-Omima since the passing of its last monarch. The Asuada of Ifon-Omima, Chief Tunde Eniolorunda, acknowledged the visit's importance, expressing hope that it would pave the way for the emergence of a new Olufon and restore stability to the community.

The Olufon stool has remained vacant since 2020, following the demise of Oba Israel Adeusi, leaving the community without a traditional head for an extended period. The inability to install a successor stems from deep-seated disagreements over the appropriate selection process. In an effort to break the deadlock, the Ifon Improvement Forum (IIF) formed a five-man committee under the leadership of Major General Benjamin Badewole, shortly after the Olufon Memorial 2020 was established. This committee engaged extensively with the Olori Ebis, secretaries of the seven ruling houses, and other community figures to explore viable solutions.

The committee ultimately recommended that the contest for the stool be declared open to a wider pool of candidates. However, this proposal faced rejection from the Ondo State government, which cited the absence of any existing chieftaincy declaration to support such an arrangement. Subsequently, in February 2026, the IIF executive presented three alternative options for resolving the dispute to the state government. These proposals were submitted on February 14, 2026, but the community has yet to receive any official response, prompting the appeal to the Ifon Association in America and, ultimately, the Ooni for intervention.

The prolonged absence of a traditional ruler has created significant challenges for Ifon-Omima. Oba Ipadeola highlighted that a community without a reigning monarch is effectively "in darkness," lacking a crucial voice to represent its interests before the government and other traditional institutions. The absence of a leader means there is no one to champion the community's cause, demand its rights, or drive development and progress, thereby depriving the residents of vital advocacy and representation. The absence of a traditional ruler for six years has severely hampered the community's ability to secure governmental representation and advocate for essential development initiatives.

Beyond the governance vacuum, Chief Eniolorunda also reiterated the community's persistent demand for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the late monarch's death. He emphasized that the community continues to seek answers regarding the incident, indicating that the unresolved succession crisis is intertwined with broader questions of justice and accountability. Major General Badewole appealed to all contestants to set aside their individual aspirations and collaborate towards a mutually acceptable and peaceful resolution, underscoring the urgent need for unity to overcome the protracted challenges facing Ifon-Omima.

Lawyers advising on traditional leadership matters in Ondo State should note the critical role of existing chieftaincy declarations in succession disputes and the potential for prolonged community instability and lack of representation when these processes are not followed or are contested. This case highlights the need for clear legal guidance and mediation in such sensitive matters.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH