The Kingmakers of Pako in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State have written a protest letter against the Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke, over what they call an unfair handling of the final selection of a new Onipako of Pako.
In a separate letter through their legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), addressed to the Oyo State Governor, Eng. Seyi Makinde; the Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Rasidi Ladoja; and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, dated February 4, 2026, the Pako kingmakers lamented the incessant unfair and intimidating interference of the Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke, allegedly at the instigation of Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako), over the process of selection and appointment of the new Onipako.
The letter read: “It is in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity that your good Government investigated and x-rayed the exact solution to the obstacles barring the long overdue vacancy to the ancient stool of Onipako of Pako since the beginning of the process about fourteen years ago through an intervention from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in a directive CB141/175/18/VOL.111/64 dated 8th November 2022, constituting an investigative panel on the Baale of Pako Chieftaincy.
“The report of the investigative panel led to a peaceful resolution and a directive was issued by your office through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters in series of letters herein attached (see attached letters dated 12th October, 2023 (A1), 2nd November 2023 (A2), 22nd March, 2024, 20 September 2024 (A3), 12th August, 2024 (A4), directing our clients as the kingmakers to select a new Onipako of Pako.
“Our clients and the ruling Houses to the throne of Onipako of Pako were later invited, a transparent and fair enquiry was made into the Chieftaincy matter. Your good office, directing our clients to select Candidates from the current two contending ruling houses in the absence of a registered declaration or a rotational order for Baale of Pako Omoni (Onigilakala and Atobiiporo) and Olugbite/Okunromade. This was borne out of the willingness of other two ruling houses: Ajuwon and Tubi to shelve interest for now.
“In line with the directive ref no: IBCLG/238/I/F.VOL.III/178, directing our clients to select between Prince Lateef Okesola Akintola Orimadegun and Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu; a meeting was held as directed at the residence of Jagun of Pako, Chief Moyo Ajibode on Monday 25th March 2024 for the final selection in the presence of security agents. Ten (10) Chiefs out-of thirteen (13) Chiefs voted for Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu while Prince Lateef Okesola Akintola Orimadegun recorded No vote (Nil) (Find attached selection letter (marked annexure B), in utter disregarded to the government’s directives, Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) walked out of the meeting and boldly engaged miscreants to chase and intimidate our clients out of the venue of the meeting.
“It is our client’s further instruction that, in line with directive ref: No.CB.141/175/180/VOL.IV/174 through a letter dated 12th August, 2025 and resolution of our client’s meeting with the Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government and representative of Ibarapa Central Traditional Council on Monday, 11th August, 2025, all parties including Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) resolved for selection process between the two candidates and fixed Wednesday, 13th August, 2025 at the Local Government premises for the final selection process since our clients no longer feel secured at Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako)’s residence due to incessant spiritual threats and intimidation from him but, to our client’s chagrin, Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) with the support of the officials of Ibarapa Central Local Government who told our clients they were obeying the directives of the Chairman Iharapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke disrupted the process despite heavy presence of security.
“Sir, the Ibarapa Central Local Government approved again, our client’s request for another final selection process through a letter dated 5th December 2025 at the Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday, 10th December 2025. All the 12 living Chiefs participated except Chief Mrs. Lydia Egbeyemi (lyalode of Pako) who was on Sick bed then (find attendance (marked annexure C). Nine (9) Chiefs out of Eleven (11) Chiefs voted för Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu as the new Onipako of Pako (Find attached report marked D). Our clients departed the Local Government after submission of the reports of the meeting for onward transmission for approval of Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu as the new Onipako of Pako by the Chairman Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke; to our clients’ greatest disappointment, Hon. Sola Adeleke illegally, betrayed the oath of allegiance of Justice, Equity and Fairness he sworn to as a Council Chairman, and stepped down our clients’ Final Selection reports in his office and threatened to lobby our clients to the minority in total disregard to the custom and tradition of Pako Town.
“Your Excellency, our clients have been receiving discontent messages on daily basis from PAKO indigenes, craving for a new ruler, the absence of which has been crumbling the development of their ancient community since 14 years ago. Our clients are obedient Citizens who have always obeyed and worked in line with government’s directives except Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) who believes he is above the government as result of his continuous recognition and unlawful protection against the interest of PAKO community by the Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke.
“Sir, our clients are mindful of the fact that, the illegal action of Hon. Sola Adeleke threatening the custom and tradition of Pako Town may be resisted by Pako Community. This looming menace should be averted to protect the peace and harmony Oyo State has been enjoying since the inception of this administration. It is the kingmakers that reserves the exclusive right and power to appoint the candidate that is eligible to fill the vacant stool of Onipako of Pako in line with their revered custom and tradition and that has been done in compliance with all enabling laws both statutory and customary.
“The Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government and representative of Ibarapa Central Traditional Council are only required to be present at the meeting and observe the selection/appointment process. To our clients’ disappointment, Hon. Sola Adeleke on the instigation of chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) has failed, refused and neglect to forward the final selection report of the kingmakers to Your Excellency for onward approval, thereby forestalling the efforts of the kingmakers, we humbly appeal to your excellency to curb the excesses of Hon. Sola Adeleke, the Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government and approve Prince Wahab Olasunkanmi Shittu, being the candidate duly appointed by the kingmakers in earnest, in the overall interest of pako community and Oyo state at large.
“Your Excellency, the undue interference of Hon. Sola Adeleke, the Executive Chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government, abusing his office in protecting the personal interests of Chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) as against the common interests of Twelve Pako Chiefs representing the interests of the entire people of Pako, who in line with their custom and tradition forms the body of kingmakers is barbaric,condemnable and capable of forestalling the peace and tranquility in Pako community, Oyo state and Nigeria at large if left unattended to.
“Accept the assurance of our professional regards as we await your prompt intervention to curb the illegal activities of Hon. Sola Adeleke and chief Moyo Ajibode (Jagun of Pako) which is capable of putting Pako Community in Crisis”, the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Chairman was abortive.
