The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for reappointing Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa, despite a Supreme Court judgment that removed him from the throne six years ago.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described Makinde’s decision as a violation of the rule of law and an act of executive lawlessness.
“The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, recently reappointed Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa despite a Supreme Court judgment which deposed him about six years ago,” Akintola stated.
He further alleged that the Eruwa ruling house had rejected Makinde’s decision, likening it to the controversy surrounding the selection of a new Alaafin of Oyo, where the Oyomesi opposed the governor’s preferred candidate.
MURIC accused the governor of targeting Muslim monarchs in Oyo State, claiming that Makinde has installed multiple kings and traditional rulers in a manner that suggests religious bias.
“Makinde’s greatest achievement will be his inclusion in the list of rulers who disregarded history and the rule of law. The governor has allegedly installed 11 kings and 40 Baales in a reckless bid to replace every existing Muslim king,” Akintola alleged.
The Islamic human rights organization also criticized Makinde’s governance, arguing that Oyo State’s declining educational rankings should be a greater concern than chieftaincy disputes.
“A governor whose state is among the lowest in educational ranking is busy hunting for the next Muslim monarch to remove. Oyo State is ranked 25th in education quality, and students are unable to learn due to dilapidated schools, yet the governor is focused on traditional leadership battles,” the statement read.
MURIC called on Governor Makinde to respect the judiciary and uphold democratic principles in his administration.
The controversy surrounding the Eleruwa stool dated back to 2011 when an Oyo State High Court nullified Adegbola’s selection as the traditional ruler of Eruwa. The decision was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2019, leading to his removal. However, Governor Makinde recently approved his reappointment, sparking outrage from some stakeholders, including the Eruwa ruling house and now MURIC.
Observers said the development could lead to further legal and political battles in the state’s traditional leadership structure.
