Tension has gripped Ibadan following a move by the Oyo State government to install Senator Sharafadeen Alli and two other High Chiefs as beaded crown-wearing Obas on April 3, 2026, sparking a heated debate over whether the coronation is a traditional honor or a strategic attempt to derail Alli’s gubernatorial ambitions.
Tension is rapidly heightening across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the official announcement by the state government to install Senator Sharafadeen Alli as a beaded crown-wearing Oba in Ibadanland. The move, which was made public on Thursday, March 26, 2026, involves Alli—who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District and is a prominent gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—alongside High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin and High Chief Kola Babalola. A letter signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, addressed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, declared that the coronation is “long overdue” and has been officially scheduled for April 3, 2026, at the historic Mapo Hall.
The announcement has effectively enveloped the political class in Ibadan in a cloud of uncertainty, with various groups and individuals analyzing the move as either a traditional advancement or a calculated “political vendetta.” Speculation is rife that the elevation is a strategic maneuver by the state government to stall Alli’s 2027 gubernatorial ambitions by tying him to a permanent traditional office. While some political observers believe the elevation could serve as a barrier to his executive aspirations, others maintain that the coronation cannot affect his ambition negatively, as his popularity within the APC remains robust despite the impending change in status.
Amidst the growing debates, an indigene of Ibadan, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that the existing legal framework may not be the obstacle some believe it to be, stating that “the existing law does not bar Alli from becoming governor even if he is installed as a beaded crown wearing Oba.” Nevertheless, the fast-approaching April 3 deadline has left many in the ancient city on edge, with supporters and critics alike closely monitoring the Olubadan’s palace for a formal response. As the discussion shifts between traditional rites and electoral law, the planned ceremony at Mapo Hall stands to become a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the state’s next political cycle.
Ibadan Chieftaincy Elevation (April 2026)
| High Chief | Current Political Office | Proposed Rank |
| Sharafadeen Alli | Senator (Oyo South) | Beaded Crown-Wearing Oba |
| Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin | High Chief | Beaded Crown-Wearing Oba |
| Kola Babalola | High Chief | Beaded Crown-Wearing Oba |
| Date of Event | April 3, 2026 | Venue: Mapo Hall |
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