Three Claimants, One Stool: Who Truly Is the Onido of Ido?

The concerned citizens of Ido have pleaded for a resolution to the age-long traditional conflict in the town. The issue can best be described as a tale of a town with three monarchs. KAZEEM AWOJOODU captured the account resulting from the traditional disputes that have lasted for 19 years, Except

Ido town, a major settlement within the Ibadan metropolitan area, has for years been embroiled in a protracted traditional crisis that has stalled its development despite its strategic location.

Investigations reveal that an unresolved dispute over the rightful traditional ruler of Ido, popularly known as the Onido of Ido, has left the community with three individuals parading themselves as monarchs, a situation many fear could degenerate into communal unrest if not urgently addressed.

Concerned citizens of Ido recently appealed to pressmen, calling for decisive intervention by the Oyo State Government and traditional authorities to resolve the lingering crisis. According to them, the absence of clarity in the town’s traditional leadership has deprived Ido of critical government projects and discouraged private investors from tapping into its vast agrarian and commercial potential.

Ido is a border town between Ibadan and the Ibarapa zone and is regarded as one of the 11 local government areas that constitute the greater Ibadan city. Yet, stakeholders argue that internal instability has slowed its growth compared to neighbouring communities.

Historically, the traditional head of Ido was the Baale of Ido. The recognised ruling houses under the Agura family tree are Akinyemi, Alalade, Dada-Pero, and Okanlawon. However, during the agitation for the creation of Ibadan State, it was resolved that Ibadanland should have more than one crowned monarch. As a result, several Baales were elevated to Obaship status.

In this process, Oba Benjamin Ademola Ishola Orobiyi II—then Baale of Ido and Chairman of Baales of communities surrounding Ibadan was crowned Onido of Ido on December 15, 1997, by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde I.

Trouble began in 2007 when Oba Benjamin Ademola was preparing for his 10th anniversary on the throne as Onido of Ido. The then Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, suspended and later deposed Oba Benjamin Ademola for parading himself as a traditional king and for not being from the Agura royal family.

Tajudeen Adeosun, also known as Tajudeen Akinola Agura, was subsequently installed as Onido.
The decision was challenged, and although the state government initially reversed the action, the then governor, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, formally confirmed Oba Benjamin’s suspension in August 2011.

Oba Benjamin contested the action in court, arguing that he was a Type 2 monarch under the Ibadan Chieftaincy System and possessed valid instruments of office issued by the state government. In 2012, an Oyo State High Court ruled in his favour. However, the case was appealed and has remained pending at the Supreme Court since 2018, leaving the matter unresolved.

Following Oba Benjamin’s removal, Chief Tajudeen Akinola Agura was announced as Onido in 2011. Less than two years into his reign, he faced multiple petitions bordering on abuse of office, forgery, and land grabbing.

In January 2013, the then Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, suspended him and seized his royal beads. He was accused of forging the Olubadan’s letterhead to nullify his suspension and authorise the payment of his salaries and allowances. The Olubadan-in-Council unanimously affirmed his suspension and warned him to stop parading himself as the Onido of Ido.

The deposed Oba Tajudeen Adeosun Agura was from the Dada-Pero ruling house of the Agura family tree, the only ruling family of the town while Oba Benjamin Ishola is a direct descendant of Akinyemi under the same Agura family tree.

The most recent monarch to occupy the stool is Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola (Gbadewolu I), who was formerly the Asipa Onido of Idoland under the reign of Oba Benjamin Ademola.

On February 2, 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde suspended Oba Babalola following intelligence reports allegedly linking him to illegal mining and criminal activities, particularly in the aftermath of the Bodija explosion. According to the State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the suspension was intended to send a strong warning to criminal collaborators.

However, six months later, the Oyo State Government reinstated Oba Babalola. The Chairman of Ido Local Government, Mr Sheriff Adeojo, formally presented the reinstatement letter to him at the council headquarters.

As of today, Oba Benjamin Ademola Ishola Orobiyi II, Tajudeen Akinola Agura, and Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola are all reportedly laying claim, directly or indirectly, to the title of Onido of Idoland, deepening confusion and division within the community.

Stakeholders and indigenes are now appealing to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, and relevant traditional institutions to thoroughly review the matter and deliver a just and final resolution.

They expressed confidence in the integrity and leadership style of Oba Ladoja, describing him as a forthright and trustworthy monarch capable of restoring peace.

“We believe that his intervention will bring a lasting and reasonable resolution to this lingering crisis that has affected our growth since 2007,” one stakeholder said.