February 04, (THEWILL) — Ancestral landowners from five communities in Ifoland, Ogun State, have approached a High Court to seek an injunction restraining the state government from proceeding with the selection process for the next Olu of Ifo.
The communities—Orile-Ifo, Akinhanmi, Olose, Oke-Nla, and Adenrele—are requesting that the court halt all processes pending the outcome of a suit challenging the eligibility of certain candidates.
The throne became vacant following the death of the immediate past monarch, Oba Samuel Atanda Oladipupo, on October 8, 2025.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Baale of Orile-Ifo, Chief Dauda Odeyemi, explained that the indigenous communities are seeking a court order to prevent a situation where non-indigenes are appointed to the vacant stool.
He clarified that while the communities are not in conflict with the state government or the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, they remain firm in their resolve that only candidates from the five indigenous communities should be considered.
“We cannot close our eyes and allow non-indigenes or any stranger to become the next Olu of Ifo land,” Odeyemi stated.
“Five towns constitute Ifoland. We have had cases in the past where strangers became king in our land, and we do not want that to happen again.”
Odeyemi expressed concern that despite several letters and reminders sent to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Alake’s office since last year, the communities have yet to receive a formal response.
He noted that the silence from the authorities left the residents with no choice but to seek legal redress to protect their heritage.
“We are not here to quarrel. We know that among the four Egba sections, it is the turn of Egba-Ake to produce the candidate.
“All we are saying is that we want a representative of the Egba section who is from any of the five indigenous communities—Orile-Ifo, Akinhanmi, Oke-Nla, Olose, or Adenrele—to be the next Olu of Ifo,” he added.
The court has reportedly adjourned the matter until March 13, 2026, for further hearing.
