By Juliet Umeh

The Aranyin of Iranyin in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Lasisi Olagbemileke Oladimeji, has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to urgently resolve the lingering crisis surrounding the vacant Aresa-Adu throne of Iresa-Adu, which has remained unoccupied for nearly eight years.

Oba Oladimeji, who ascended the throne in 2023, said the prolonged vacancy of the Aresa-Adu stool was affecting traditional leadership structure and security coordination across the border communities under the ancient domain.

Iranyin, a boundary town on Aresa-Adu land, shares borders with Ifon in Osun State and has, over the years, been exposed to boundary disputes and security challenges.

In a statement, the monarch commended the governor for resolving several chieftaincy disputes in Ibadan, Oyo and other parts of the state, noting that similar attention should be given to the Aresa-Adu stool.

“Governor Makinde has proven to be a listening governor. He has resolved more chieftaincy matters than any sitting governor in Oyo State. That is why we are appealing to him to help us resolve that of Aresa-Adu,” he said.

Oba Oladimeji, who described himself as a member of the Aresa chieftaincy family, said the matter was both traditional and personal to him.

“Besides being an Oba on Iresa land, I am personally a member of the Aresa chieftaincy family. So, resolving the Aresa-Adu throne is personal to me. You cannot tell the history of Aranyin without telling the history of Aresa,” he added.

He stressed that the absence of a paramount ruler was creating gaps in coordination among the various towns and villages under Aresa-Adu, many of which have crowned Obas and Baales.

“There are various vacant kingships and Baales across border towns and villages on Aresa-Adu land. With increasing cases of land encroachment and the need to combat insecurity in border communities, including Iranyin, a paramount Aresa-Adu is required,” he said.

The monarch referenced recent security concerns in the area, including the arrest of suspected cattle rustlers in Iresa-Adu by the Oyo State Police Command in January 2026.

He disclosed that he earlier raised concerns about the vacant throne and security lapses during the governor’s visit to Surulere Local Government in January 2026 at the palace of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.

Oba Oladimeji expressed confidence in the governor’s leadership, noting that his administration had used executive powers to resolve several vacant stools across the state.

“We have many towns under Aresa-Adu with crowned Obas and Baales that have existed for centuries. I am the 21st Aranyin of Iranyin, but how can I be proud when the main monarch of our land is not enthroned?” he queried.

He urged the governor to act swiftly to prevent further escalation of the crisis and strengthen traditional institutions in the affected communities.