Orile Imo, Ogun State – A leadership tussle is brewing in Orile Imo, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, as the Asiwaju of the town, High Chief Olalekan Olakunle, has rejected what he described as his “illegal and invalid” suspension by the Orile Imo Traditional Council under the authority of the Olu of Orile Imo, Oba Oluwambe Sogaolu.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Chief Olakunle alleged that his suspension was a product of high-handedness and abuse of office by the monarch. He warned that the move could sow seeds of discord in the community unless urgent steps were taken to address the matter.
“I want to appeal to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to intervene to prevent the looming crisis in Orile Imo,” Chief Olakunle said. “It is unjust for the monarch to just wake up one day and decide to suspend someone from his chieftaincy title. I remain the Asiwaju of Orile Imo, having been installed since 2018 during the reign of the late Oba Olatunji Olubiyi (Soloko I).”
A letter dated August 12, 2025, signed by the Balogun of Orile Imo, Chief Isiaq Adesanya, on behalf of the traditional council, announced Olakunle’s indefinite suspension. The letter accused him of “gross misconduct” and refusal to recognise the authority of Oba Sogaolu. It further prohibited him from parading himself as Asiwaju or carrying out any duties associated with the title.
However, Olakunle insisted that the suspension was not only unjust but also legally unsustainable, citing the Ogun State Chiefs’ Law of 2001, which he argued does not empower coronet Obas to strip or confer chieftaincy titles. He urged the monarch to focus on fostering peace and development in the community rather than threatening traditional titleholders.
In defence of the council’s decision, Chief Adesanya maintained that the suspension was justified and collectively endorsed by the traditional chiefs of Orile Imo. He alleged that since Oba Sogaolu’s installation about a year ago, Chief Olakunle had consistently distanced himself from palace activities.
“Chief Olakunle has refused to attend meetings with our new traditional ruler despite several invitations,” Adesanya said. “If he is not ready to sit with our king, how can he now go about parading himself as the Asiwaju of Orile Imo? Government in the palace is continuous.”
The unfolding crisis has now shifted to the court of public opinion, with the community anxiously awaiting whether Governor Abiodun will step in to mediate the dispute and prevent tensions in Orile Imo from escalating.
