By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
The Asiwaju of Orile Imo, High Chief Olakunle Olalekan, has urged the Ogun State Government to urgently wade into the alleged suspension of his chieftaincy title by the Olu of Orile Imo, Oba Reuben Sogaolu, and his traditional council.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Olalekan described the suspension as illegal, stressing that his title as Asiwaju of Orile Imo was duly conferred on him in 2018 during the reign of the late monarch, Oba Olatunji Olubiyi (Soloko I).
He alleged that Oba Sogaolu’s move was politically motivated and intended to create unrest in the town. He therefore called on the state government to intervene and prevent a looming crisis.
According to Olalekan, the current monarch still has pending court cases challenging the validity of his kingship, and as such, lacks the authority to strip him of his title. “It is unjust for a monarch to wake up one day and decide to suspend someone from a chieftaincy title without due process,” he declared.
The Baales in the Council of Orile Imo, led by the Baale of Kajola, Chief Ayinde Gbadamosi, also threw their weight behind Olalekan, describing the suspension as unacceptable.
Gbadamosi, who spoke on behalf of not fewer than 40 Baales, urged the monarch to halt the move, stressing that the Asiwaju has contributed immensely to the town’s growth.
Similarly, the Youth Leader General of Orile Imo, Chief Jimoh Olorunsogo, expressed the solidarity of the town’s youths with the embattled Asiwaju, warning that the monarch’s decision could breed disunity.
Olalekan, who was once a contender for the Orile Imo stool before the emergence of the current monarch, insisted that he remains the authentic Asiwaju of Orile Imo. He further cited provisions of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law of 2001, which he claimed limited the powers of coroneted Obas to suspend or install chieftaincy title holders.
Meanwhile, the Orile Imo Traditional Council had earlier announced Olalekan’s suspension with effect from August 12, 2025, in a statement signed by the Balogun of Orile Imo, Chief Isiaq A. Adesanya.