Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday presented the instrument of appointment and staff of office to Oba Akintoye Felix Adeoye as the new Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo.
The ceremony, held at Oke-Igbo in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area ended a prolonged traditional and legal dispute over the stool.
Aiyedatiwa described the event as the culmination of efforts to adhere to the rule of law after the stool had been vacant for years following a judicial pronouncement.
The court judgment nullified the appointment of the late Oba Babajide Lawrence Oluwole, ruling that he was not a descendant of the Aare Kuigbaigbe Ruling House.
Consequently, the court ordered that the next monarch must emerge from that ruling house.
The governor explained that the ruling also rendered the Chieftaincy Declaration registered in 2019 by the deposed monarch null and void, thereby restoring the native laws and customs of Oke-Igbo as the valid guide for the selection process.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, confirmed that the State Executive Council approved Oba Adeoye’s appointment on October 27, 2025, having verified its conformity with the community’s customs.
Aiyedatiwa charged the new monarch to see his ascension as a call to service and an opportunity to foster peace, unity, and development.
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“Kabiyesi, you are now a father to all. Forget the acrimony of the past and do not use your position to victimise perceived opponents or rivals,” the governor stated.
He appealed to other contenders and their supporters to rally behind the new Oba, stressing that the interest of Oke-Igbo must be placed above all personal interests.
Aiyedatiwa used the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to security and grassroots development.
He noted the government’s substantial investment in strengthening the Amotekun Corps and supporting other security agencies.
He called on residents to make security a collective responsibility by remaining vigilant and collaborating with law enforcement.
Highlighting recent achievements, the Governor mentioned the approval for the construction of 5km of roads in each of the 18 local government areas, the renovation of health centres, and the recruitment of health personnel across the state.
He stressed the role of traditional rulers as vital partners in governance through intelligence gathering and community mobilization.
In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Olu-Oke and Paramount Ruler of Oke-Igbo Kingdom described the instrument of office as a sacred trust and divine mandate.He vowed to promote unity, reconciliation, and development within the community.
To immediately boost grassroots trade, the Oba announced a personal empowerment initiative of ₦50,000 each for 100 women traders, dedicating the gesture to governor Aiyedatiwa’s empowerment drive.
He appealed for collective effort, urging indigenes to “join hands to write a new, glorious chapter for Oke-Igbo.”
The Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government, Adeboye Adebare, praised the governor for his purposeful leadership in resolving the age-long dispute, succeeding where previous administrations had failed.
