The Olupasa of Ipasa land, His Royal Majesty Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi Popoola, has joined growing calls for the immediate installation of the Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu, whose stool has remained vacant since the death of the previous monarch in 2018.
Oba Popoola, described as the oldest-serving monarch in Oyo State and widely known for his traditional and metaphysical reputation, is the latest traditional ruler to appeal to relevant stakeholders and the Oyo State Government to resolve the prolonged vacancy.
His call follows similar appeals by other monarchs, including the Arayin of Irayin land, HRM Oba Lasisi Oladimeji, who has repeatedly stressed the importance of having the First Class traditional ruler installed for effective administration and security coordination across the communities under the Aresa-Adu domain.
The Aresa-Adu throne is regarded as a significant traditional institution in Iresa-Adu, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. Communities and traditional leaders within the domain have reportedly expressed concern over the prolonged absence of a substantive monarch, particularly amid security challenges and boundary-related land disputes involving neighbouring communities in Osun and Kwara states.
Earlier this year, Obas, Baales, community leaders and residents from towns and villages under the Aresa-Adu domain reportedly protested the continued vacancy, citing concerns about the absence of a central traditional authority to coordinate local security and community affairs.
In a previous appeal, Oba Oladimeji argued that the protection of lives and property should remain a priority, stressing the need for the Aresa-Adu to be on the throne to facilitate coordinated security cooperation among the towns and villages within the domain.
The Olupasa and Arayin traditional domains are both part of the wider Aresa-Adu traditional jurisdiction.
The renewed appeal also comes amid claims that prominent political leaders and traditional rulers have written to and met with Governor Seyi Makinde over the matter, urging the state government to deploy its constitutional and administrative authority to bring the process to a conclusion.
Supporters of the appeal have expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay, particularly in view of the state government’s interventions in other prominent traditional institutions, including the stools of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Alaafin of Oyo and Eleruwa, among others.
The monarchs are therefore appealing to Governor Makinde to urgently resolve the issue and install a substantive Aresa-Adu, describing such a move as potentially one of the administration’s most significant achievements for the people of Surulere Local Government and Iresa-Adu.
They maintained that filling the vacant First Class stool would strengthen traditional leadership, improve community coordination and address growing concerns over security and disputes affecting communities within the ancient Aresa-Adu domain.
