Senator Sharafadeen Alli Rejects Ibadan Kingship Installation; Accuses "Negative Influences" Surrounding Governor Makinde

Senator Sharafadeen Alli rejects his installation as an Ibadan Oba, citing a breach of tradition and blaming negative influences on Governor Seyi Makinde.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 14, 2026, 2:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

A Breach of Ibadan Traditional Protocol

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South, has formally challenged the validity of a recent chieftaincy installation ceremony organized by the Oyo State Government. The controversy erupted after Alli and two other high chiefs—Akeem Adewoyin and Kola Babalola—were elevated to the position of Obas despite their physical absence from the event. Alli argued that according to Ibadan customs, a chieftaincy title cannot be conferred on an individual who is not present to participate in the sacred rites, labeling the ceremony an improper "staged show."

Questioning the Governor’s Advisors

While distancing himself from a direct personal conflict with Governor Seyi Makinde or his deputy, Senator Alli pointed to a "negative influence" within the governor’s inner circle. He suggested that the decision to proceed with the installation despite the known absence of the honorees was a result of poor counsel. The Senator emphasized that the organizers' refusal to postpone the ceremony demonstrates a lack of respect for long-standing customs, calling for a more transparent and culturally sensitive approach to traditional leadership matters.

Tradition vs. Modern Administrative Policy

The Senator compared the absentia installation to a medical procedure performed without the patient, highlighting what he views as a fundamental logical and cultural failure. Historically, Ibadan traditional installations have required the physical presence of the selected individuals to validate the transition of power and status. By proceeding without the chiefs, the state government has created a legal and traditional impasse that critics say undermines the sanctity of the Ibadan monarchy.