The selection process to install the next Aresa of Iresa-Adu has taken a dramatic turn after Prince Tunwagun Adeolu Akanji accused Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, of plotting to truncate and sabotage the process should his preferred candidate, Prince Fenwa Popoola, be overlooked.
In a statement by Prince Adeolu Tunwagun who is a Chanter (Akewi) by profession, “Mr Lasun Olaleye (Oyo Commissioner for Agriculture) and I, we are both from the Oyeniyi branch of the Emiolu Ruling House. Commissioner Olasunkanmi has barely left Iresa-Adu since last Friday, September 4th to solicit for his candidate Prince Fenwa Popoola, but he has met a lot of resistance from our family (Oyeniyi). Commissioner Olaleye has now resorted to attempting to sabotage the entire selection process”.
Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye as a sitting Commissioner under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration attempted to contest for the PDP House of Representatives ticket in 2022, but however lost the PDP primaries ticket. In 2026, Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye’s attempt to secure Senatorial ticket to represent Oyo Central under the APM party was again unsuccessful. The Commissioner’s preferred candidate to become next Local Government Chairman of Surulere in the upcoming Oyo State Local Government elections was also unsuccessful.
In a video circulating the internet, Prince Tunwagun Adeolu claimed “Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye is using Governor Seyi Makinde’s name to intimidate all parties in the process, claiming he is carrying out the Governor Makinde’s orders, of which it is a lie. Commissioner Olaleye only wish to use his position to decide who becomes the next Aresa-Adu, even if though his candidate is not who the people want. Governor Makinde should call him to order, especially now that elections are coming. Because we are not going to allow this”.
According to reports, some members of Commissioner Olaleye’s family (Oyeniyi Branch) and the larger Emiolu Ruling House, who have bitterly waited 8years for the opportunity to contest, have rejected the Commissioner’s assertions and have come to see the Commissioner’s insistence to impose a candidate, as an attempt to put dirt on the good name of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. Prince Adeolu Tunwagun said; “We are certain Governor Makinde did not authorise all these shenanigsns of Mr Olaleye. Governor Makinde has built a good reputation throughout Oyo State. Election is coming, and a sitting Commissioner in his administration is actively making efforts to taint Governor Makinde administration’s achievements”.
Opposition political parties against Governor Makinde have weaponized his administration’s inability to resolve the Aresa-Adu throne, but appropriate actions now taken. The entire town have been rejoicing since the Oyo State government finally wrote a letter to the rightful Ruling House (Emiolu) to produce a candidate for the throne of the Aresa of Iresa-Adu.
An eye witness, who wishes to remain anonymous claims there have been attempts to intimidate the Mogaji of Emiolu Ruling House, Pa Julius Olanipekun at his home at around 7:00pm on Saturday 5th September, by alleged loyalists to Commissioner Olasunkanmi Olaleye and his candidate Prince Fenwa Popoola. The incident was confirmed by multiple eye witnesses. An elder of the family, Pa Oyeweso, confirmed the attempted intimidation of the Emiolu Family Mogaji, and that the intimidation was rebuffed by elders who were present with the Mogaji’s home at the time.
Attempts to reach Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, the Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture for comments have however proved abortive.
More details later…….