Kinsmen urge Oyo APC gov candidate to prioritise traditional role over political ambition
June 16, 2026 8:35 am
The member representing Oyo South Senatorial District and the 2027 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, Senator Sharafadeen Alli
Oke-Aremo Development Forum in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Monday, urged the member representing Oyo South Senatorial District and the 2027 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, to prioritise traditional role over political ambition.
A statement jointly signed by the forum’s President, Alimi Alao and Secretary, Adebayo Kazeem, respectively, while congratulating Alli on his promotion as Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, described the elevation as a major turning point that should naturally place him above partisan politics and position him as a custodian of Ibadanland’s rich cultural heritage.
The forum urged him to devote himself fully to his new traditional responsibilities rather than his gubernatorial ambition.
PUNCH Online reports that Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Isioye-Dada, died on Friday, June 12, 2026, during a protracted illness.
Until his death, Oba Isioye-Dada was Osi Balogun of Ibadanland. His death has created room for the promotion of Chiefs and High Chiefs on the Balogun line, including the governorship candidate of the APC in the state.
Alli, after the approval of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be promoted from Ekaarun Balogun to Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, while Oba Mobolaji Adewoyin will move from Ekerin Balogun to Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland.
However, the forum, in a statement released on Monday, said the demise of Oba Isioye-Dada had automatically elevated Alli to the position of Ekeerin Balogun of Ibadanland, one of the most respected ranks within the Olubadan traditional hierarchy, carrying enormous cultural, traditional, and leadership responsibilities.
The group maintained that the prestige, influence, and historical significance of the Ekeerin Balogun stool far outweigh any political office, including the governorship of the state.
It said, “While the occupant of Agodi Government House serves for a limited constitutional tenure, the holder of a revered traditional title occupies a permanent place in the history, culture, and leadership structure of Ibadanland. Your royal stool is bigger than Agodi Government House.
“Oba Alli now occupies a position that commands respect across political, religious, and social divides. By embracing his traditional responsibilities and distancing himself from partisan politics, he will preserve the dignity of his office, strengthen the legacy of his family, and secure a more enduring place in the annals of Ibadan history.”
The forum further argued that Alli comes from a respected family lineage deeply rooted in the traditional institution of Ibadanland and should therefore protect and preserve that heritage rather than risk diminishing it through partisan political contests.
“Oba Alli should not allow political ambition to overshadow the honour bestowed upon him through the traditional succession system. He should respect the legacy of his family, uphold the dignity of the royal lineage he now represents, and dedicate himself fully to the service of Ibadanland.
“With his sudden elevation to the prestigious position of Ekeerin Balogun, the responsibility before him is now more traditional than political. He is no longer just a politician but a monarch and custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Ibadanland,” the forum insisted.
The forum also commiserated with the family of the late Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Isioye-Dada, over his passing, praying that Almighty God grants the departed eternal rest and gives his family, associates, and the entire people of Ibadanland the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The forum noted that individuals who attain positions within the Olubadan-In-Council occupy a unique place in society and are expected to rise above partisan interests in order to serve as symbols of unity, peace, and cultural continuity.
It further urged Alli to place himself above politics, embrace his new responsibilities wholeheartedly, and contribute to strengthening the unity, development, and cultural heritage of Ibadanland for future generations.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to the progress and development of Oke-Aremo and Ibadanland as a whole, while praying for wisdom, strength, and divine guidance for Oba Alli as he assumes greater responsibilities within the revered Olubadan traditional institution.
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