The process to install the next Aresa of Iresa-Adu has taken a dramatic turn, with Prince Tunwagun Adeolu Akanji accusing the Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, of attempting to sabotage the selection process.
Prince Adeolu, a member of the Oyeniyi branch of the Emiolu Ruling House and a professional chanter `Akewi`, alleged in a statement on Wednesday that the Commissioner has been in Iresa-Adu since Friday, September 4, 2026, lobbying for his preferred candidate, Prince Fenwa Popoola.
“Commissioner Olasunkanmi and I, we are both from the Oyeniyi branch of the Emiolu Ruling House. He has met a lot of resistance from our family. Commissioner Olaleye has now resorted to attempting to sabotage the entire selection process,” Prince Adeolu said.
The Prince further alleged that the Commissioner is using the name of Governor Seyi Makinde to intimidate stakeholders in the process.
“Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye is using Governor Seyi Makinde’s name to intimidate all parties in the process, claiming he is carrying out the Governor’s orders, of which it is a lie. He only wish to use his position to decide who becomes the next Aresa-Adu, even if his candidate is not who the people want,” he stated.
Prince Adeolu called on Governor Makinde to call the Commissioner to order, noting that “elections are coming, and a sitting Commissioner in his administration is actively making efforts to taint Governor Makinde administration’s achievements.”
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity alleged that there was an attempt to intimidate the Mogaji of the Emiolu Ruling House, Pa Julius Olanipekun, at his home around 7:00pm on Saturday, September 5, by loyalists of the Commissioner and his preferred candidate.
Pa Oyeweso, an elder of the family, confirmed the incident, saying the attempt was rebuffed by elders present at the Mogaji’s home.
The statement recalled that Commissioner Olaleye contested for the PDP House of Representatives ticket in 2022 but lost. In 2026, his bid to secure the Oyo Central Senatorial ticket under the APM party was also unsuccessful. His preferred candidate for the Surulere Local Government Chairmanship in the forthcoming Oyo LG elections was also not successful.
Members of the Oyeniyi branch and the larger Emiolu Ruling House, who said they have waited eight years for the opportunity to contest, have rejected what they described as an attempt to impose a candidate.
“We are certain Governor Makinde did not authorise all these shenanigans of Mr Olaleye. Governor Makinde has built a good reputation throughout Oyo State,” Prince Adeolu added.
The town has been in a celebratory mood since the Oyo State government wrote to the Emiolu Ruling House to produce a candidate for the Aresa stool, a development that had been stalled for years and used by opposition parties to criticize the Makinde administration.
Attempts to reach Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye for comments proved abortive as of press time.
