The Ikolaje-Idiroko Council of Kingmakers in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has issued a firm warning against any attempt at self-imposition in the ongoing obaship tussle, insisting that no individual has been elected as the new Oniko of Ikolaje-Idiroko.
The council made this clarification amid circulating social media reports alleging that a successor to the vacant Oniko stool had already emerged.
The revered stool became vacant in May 2025 following the death of Oba John Ojo. After the completion of traditional burial rites, the process of selecting a new monarch commenced, with three princes from the Odunfa Ruling House formally declaring interest in the throne.
In a statement released on Monday, the kingmakers dismissed claims of an Oniko-elect as false and misleading.
“The attention of the Ikolaje-Idiroko Council of Kingmakers in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has been drawn to social media reports claiming that a particular individual has emerged as the Oniko-elect,” the statement read.
“The council categorically states that no candidate has been elected as the new Oniko of Ikolaje, as the required election to select a successor has not yet been conducted.”
The statement was jointly signed by prominent kingmakers, including the Aro, Oloorode Mathew; the Balogun, Daniel Edun; the Eselu, Fadeyi Kamoru; the Ojusu, Akinbode Anthony; and the Ogboni Oosa, Samson Orobiyi.
According to the council, three princes—Sunday Olayode, Jonah Olagorioye, and Adebotiwa Ade—submitted applications to contest for the vacant stool.
The kingmakers explained that where more than one qualified prince emerges from a ruling house, tradition mandates the conduct of a formal election to determine the next monarch.
“For the avoidance of doubt, more than one prince applied for the revered throne through the Odunfa Ruling House, which is the next ruling house entitled to produce the Oniko of Ikolaje,” the statement said.
“In line with established tradition, the kingmakers are required to conduct an election under the supervision of the Ipokia Local Government, and the candidate with the highest number of votes will emerge as the Oba-elect.”
The council disclosed that the election, initially scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Ipokia Local Government Secretariat, was postponed due to security concerns.
“The election could not hold following advice from the Secretary to the Local Government, who cited security concerns as the reason for the postponement,” the kingmakers stated.
The council urged residents and indigenes of Ikolaje-Idiroko to remain calm, law-abiding, and patient as the traditional selection process continues.
Reaffirming their commitment to transparency, the kingmakers clarified that the princes currently contesting for the Oniko stool are Prince Sunday Adekambi Olayode, Prince Jonah Ariori Olagorioye, and Prince Adebotiwa Ade.
They assured the community that all stakeholders would be fully informed as developments unfold, stressing that the process would be concluded in the best interest of Ikolaje-Idiroko.
