The Olupasa of Ipasa land, HRM Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi Popoola, has joined other monarchs in Oyo State to plead with Governor Seyi Makinde for the immediate installation of a new Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu in Surulere Local Government Area.
Oba Popoola, widely regarded as the oldest serving monarch in Oyo State and currently trending on social media for his reputed mystical and metaphysical abilities, said the throne has remained vacant for close to 10 years since the last Aresa-Adu passed away in 2018.
He made the appeal in support of an earlier call by HRM Oba Lasisi Oladimeji, the Arayin of Irayin land, stressing the urgent need to fill the First Class stool.
According to the monarchs, several prominent national political leaders and traditional rulers have already intervened through letters and meetings with Governor Makinde, urging him to use the executive powers of his office to resolve the matter, but without result.
Oba Popoola and Oba Oladimeji noted that both Ipasa and Irayin domains fall under the ancient throne of Aresa-Adu in Surulere LGA.
“The protection of lives and properties are paramount and there is need for Aresa-Adu to be on the throne for well coordinated security cooperation amongst towns and villages under Aresa-Adu,” Oba Oladimeji was quoted as saying in a previous statement. Oba Oladimeji, a former PDP chieftain before ascending the throne, said the absence of a monarch was creating a leadership vacuum.
The statement noted that Obas, Baales, community leaders and residents under the Aresa-Adu had protested earlier this year over the prolonged vacancy, citing security concerns.
It added that many border towns and villages under Iresa-Adu are currently grappling with persistent land disputes with neighbouring Osun and Kwara States, a situation stakeholders say requires a reigning monarch to mediate.
The monarchs expressed surprise at what they described as “years of neglect” of the Iresa-Adu throne, contrasting it with the governor’s “swift and decisive intervention” in the installation processes for the Soun of Ogbomoso, Alaafin of Oyo, Eleruwa, and other chieftaincy stools in Ibadan.
The traditional rulers appealed to Governor Makinde to act, saying the installation of the Aresa-Adu would be his “greatest achievement for the people of Surulere Local Government in Iresa-Adu.”
They urged the state government to prioritize the process to restore traditional leadership, ensure security coordination, and end the uncertainty that has lingered since 2018.
