By Lawal Akinkunmi M
In what many now consider a bold but deeply flawed move, Governor Seyi Makinde has chosen to proceed with the controversial beaded crown coronation in Ibadanland—despite the conspicuous absence of the very chiefs meant to be honoured, including Senator Sarafadeen Alli.
At best, the decision reflects a troubling disregard for consensus. At worst, it signals a calculated political move aimed at undermining a perceived rival.
It is impossible to ignore the history that binds Makinde and Alli. In 2019, Alli, alongside the current Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa1, stood firmly behind Makinde in a coalition that reshaped Oyo State’s political trajectory. That alliance was not merely strategic—it was foundational.
Today, that same political family appears fractured.
The growing perception is that Makinde, wary of Alli’s rising political profile and alleged emergence as a preferred governorship figure within opposition ranks, has chosen confrontation over collaboration. If true, this represents not just political rivalry, but a betrayal of trust.
What meaning does a coronation hold when those to be crowned refuse to attend?
By going ahead with the ceremony in the absence of key beneficiaries, the administration risks reducing a revered traditional exercise to a hollow political spectacle. In a culture where honour, consent, and legitimacy are paramount, this move strikes many as both tone-deaf and provocative.
Even more telling is the absence of the Olubadan himself. In Ibadan’s deeply rooted traditional structure, such a development cannot be dismissed as coincidence. It is a silent statement—one that speaks louder than any official declaration.
This is not the first time the beaded crown issue has stirred controversy. Oba Ladoja himself once rejected it, standing firm until respected Ibadan elders intervened. That history should have served as a cautionary tale—a reminder that tradition in Ibadanland is not dictated by decree, but shaped by consensus.
Yet, the current approach suggests that those lessons have either been forgotten or ignored.
Among many indigenes, a dangerous narrative is gaining ground: that the governor is willing to sideline his own people to secure political advantage. Whether this perception is fair or not, it is politically damaging.
Ibadan has long held a principle that resonates beyond politics: loyalty to one’s own is sacred. The warning now echoing across the city is simple but profound—no one wins by fighting their own clan.
If Governor Makinde continues on this path, he risks not only alienating key stakeholders but eroding the grassroots goodwill that once defined his leadership.
Interestingly, Senator Alli has maintained a measured stance, allowing events to speak for themselves. In doing so, he has inadvertently strengthened his position—appearing composed, wronged, and increasingly sympathetic in the eyes of many.
Leadership is not merely about authority; it is about wisdom, timing, and respect for institutions that predate political office. In this instance, the governor’s actions raise serious questions about all three.
What is unfolding is more than a disagreement over titles—it is a test of political judgment and cultural sensitivity. Makinde’s insistence on pushing forward, despite clear signs of dissent, may well define his relationship with Ibadanland for years to come.
And in politics, especially in a place as historically conscious as Ibadan, such decisions are never forgotten.
Lawal Akinkunmi M writes from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
