Three Ibadan high chiefs — Sharafadeen Alli, Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, and Oyekola Babalola — were formally installed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde despite their absence from the ceremony. The chiefs had previously informed the state government that they could not attend the scheduled event and had requested an alternative date. Their coronation in absentia has reignited legal debate over the validity and tradition-bound protocols of chieftaincy appointments in Ibadan. Customary practices in the Ibadan traditional system typically require physical presence for such rites, making the remote installation an unusual departure. Critics argue the move undermines the cultural integrity of the institution, while legal experts question whether the appointments comply with existing chieftaincy laws. The governor's office has not issued a detailed public defence of the decision, but the action has drawn backlash from traditional stakeholders and members of the Ibadan elite. The controversy adds to growing tensions between the state government and segments of the traditional establishment.
Installing chiefs without their presence bypasses a core tradition in Ibadan's chieftaincy system, and Seyi Makinde's decision to do so weakens the cultural weight of the titles. When a governor overrides long-standing customs, even with administrative intent, it risks reducing revered institutions to political appointments. For Nigerians who value tradition, this sets a precedent where protocol yields to convenience. It is unclear whether the courts or the people will accept this version of legitimacy.
