Ademola Adeleke is facing growing pressure to take decisive action over the Apetu stool amid rising concerns about the prolonged absence of traditional leadership in Ipetumodu.
Community stakeholders, including kingmakers and representatives from two ruling houses, have warned that the lack of a monarch is beginning to impact the town’s traditional, administrative, and territorial stability.
The groups, drawn from the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses, made their concerns public during a press conference held in Ipetumodu on Thursday.
They called on the state government and Ademola Adeleke to officially declare the stool vacant and begin the process of selecting a new traditional ruler within seven days.
At the centre of the controversy is the continued recognition of Joseph Oloyede, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States of America following a fraud conviction.
The monarch was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by Christopher A. Boyko to 56 months in prison after being found guilty of involvement in a conspiracy related to COVID-19 relief funds.
According to authorities in the United States, “the scheme involved exploiting emergency loan programmes intended to support small businesses during the pandemic.”
Court documents indicated that assets linked to the proceeds of the crime, including a residential property in Medina, Ohio, and over $96,000, were forfeited.
In addition to the prison term, the monarch was ordered to pay restitution exceeding $4.4 million and to serve a period of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.
Despite these developments, community leaders said the delay in officially declaring the stool vacant has created uncertainty and weakened traditional authority structures in Ipetumodu.
Speaking for the ruling houses to Ademola Adeleke, Prince Dele Oyebade stated that “all required legal documentation, including the Certified True Copy of the judgment, had been submitted to the state government.”
He said, “The documents have been made available, yet no action has followed. This delay is causing avoidable tension within the community.”
Oyebade also suggested that the governor may not have received complete information about the matter from the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency, Akinyode Oyewusi.
He added, “All actions capable of delaying justice in this matter must cease immediately to preserve the integrity of the institution.”
Another community representative, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, linked emerging local challenges to the absence of a recognised monarch, noting increased disputes and administrative gaps.
Ayoola said, “We are giving the government seven days to respond. The town cannot continue without leadership, as this situation is already affecting our land and traditions.”
He explained that neighbouring communities were taking advantage of the vacuum to encroach on disputed areas, while essential cultural rites remained suspended.
On behalf of the traditional council, the Aresa of Ipetumodu, Chief Lawrence Odewale, called for urgent intervention, including the appointment of warrant chiefs to support the selection of a new monarch.
He said, “Declaring the stool vacant is necessary to restore order and enable the kingmakers to carry out their responsibilities without further delay.”
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