In a swift reaction to the directive issued by the Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, legal experts and political stakeholders have raised fundamental constitutional concerns regarding the “suspicious & immediate” coronation of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and two others against their wish and gross violation of their fundamental human rights.
Sources at Olubadan’s palace on Thursday evening revealed that the State Government had recently written a letter to the palace, asking for the list of the high chiefs and Baales who are due for beaded crowns, but the palace replied that it would make arrangement for the compilation of the list as requested and furnish the government when it is ready. The palace’s replied letter was dated March 23, 2026.
However, the palace was said to have expressed serious misgivings on why the government quickly came up with another letter, 72hours after, vide a letter by the Commissioner listing purported chiefs due for beaded crowns and picking a date for their coronation. It said the list now in circulation did not emanate from the palace, as the palace expressed surprise on why the Governor Seyi Makinde administration appears to be crying more than the bereaved.
The palace said the claim by the State Government, through Commissioner that it’s move is to “avert political tension,” was inconsistent with the realities on ground and more importantly, when taking a closer look at the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which suggests that the directive may be an overreach into the personal liberties and traditional autonomy of the Olubadan-in-Council.
A legal practitioner, Wale Orilonise decried the government’s decision which ran contrary to the replied letter from the Olubadan palace, wondering why the State Government was busied itself with coronation of palace chiefs at the expense of other needs of the citizens across the length and breadth of the State.
He queried why Governor Makinde busied himself with Senator Alli’s aspiration in an entirely opposition party to his PDP, asking rhetorically whether he is afraid if Alli contests against his impending candidate, the former would win landslide?
The lawyer recalled that a similar arrangement was organised in February in Oyo-Alaafin by the administration of Seyi Makinde, wherein certain Baales were listed for elevation to crown-wearing Obas, yet no fewer than three of them declined participation and stayed away from the event. Significantly, no sanction; administrative or otherwise has been meted out against those individuals to date.
Flowing from this, it is trite in law that “you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence”—a principle which, though proverbial in expression, finds firm grounding in constitutional jurisprudence relating to consent and personal autonomy.
“In the same vein, every individual possesses the inalienable right to either accept or decline a traditional title, including the wearing of a crown, without compulsion.
“This position is further fortified by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). By virtue of Section 34(1), the dignity of the human person is guaranteed and protected, thereby precluding any act that subjects an individual to treatment imposed without his consent. More directly, Section 38(1) secures the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, which has been judicially interpreted to encompass the liberty to abstain from cultural or traditional practices that may conflict with one’s personal beliefs or convictions.
“Moreover, under Section 40, the right to freedom of association implicitly includes the right not to associate, while Section 41(1) guarantees freedom of movement, which by necessary implication includes the liberty to absent oneself from ceremonies or gatherings one does not wish to attend. Collectively, these provisions underscore the supremacy of individual choice over imposed customary obligations.”
He argued further, “It must also be emphasised that while chieftaincy matters are recognised under customary law and regulated by state legislation, such laws and practices remain subordinate to the Constitution by virtue of Section 1(3), which provides that any law or custom inconsistent with constitutional provisions shall be null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.
“In consequence, any attempt whether direct or subtle to compel an individual to accept a coronation or traditional elevation against his will would not only be procedurally flawed but constitutionally indefensible. The law, therefore, stands firmly on the side of voluntariness, affirming that the acceptance of a crown is a matter of personal discretion, not governmental imposition.
“Furthermore, Section 3(1) of the Chieftaincy Law of Oyo State, 2000, provides for the procedure for appointment and recognition of traditional rulers. We argue that the Governor’s actions may be ultra vires (beyond his powers) and therefore null and void,” Orilonise added.
Also speaking, a public affairs commentator, Dr Ibrahim Adejare remarked on the supremacy of the Constitution over Customary Directives, stressing that, “It is a settled principle in Nigerian jurisprudence that the Constitution is the groundnorm. Any customary practice or administrative directive that contradicts constitutional provisions is, to the extent of its inconsistency, null and void.”
He argued that “Under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the right to choose whether or not to accept a traditional title or a “beaded crown.”
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion… and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
“To compel a citizen to undergo a coronation ceremony against their will, especially when that citizen, like Senator Alli, is a high-ranking political figure with specific career trajectories is a direct violation of this fundamental right. One cannot be forced to be “crowned” if they are not interested in the office or the ceremonial obligations attached to it.
A Community Baale, Chief Ranti Alphonso described the development as worrisome, likening it to “the Olubadan’s Prerogative vs. Executive Order, which according to him was not within the purview of Oyo State Government.
According to Baale, “Historically and legally, the authority to crown a High Chief rests with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, currently His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I.
“The government’s directive appears to bypass the traditional “consent” mechanism. There is currently no evidence suggesting that the Olubadan has expressed a readiness or a desire to crown these specific individuals at this time. By setting an arbitrary date of April 3, 2026, at Mapo Hall, the State Government risks turning a sacred traditional rite into a political appointment, thereby undermining the very “integrity of the traditional institution” it claims to protect.”
An APC chieftain, Otunba Adegboyega Raheem, said he sensed Political Undercurrents because the timing of this letter has raised eyebrows across the state. Senator Sharafadeen Alli is widely touted as a leading gubernatorial contender for our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the government’s sudden urgency to crown him as a “Beaded Crown Obaship” holder might be a strategic move to complicate his eligibility or focus ahead of the upcoming elections. If the government labels a delay as “political,” one must ask: Is it not more political to force a coronation on an opposition candidate without his explicit consent?”
Stressing that no individual can be forced into a traditional office, he posited that If Senator Alli is not interested in the elevation at this time, the state has no legal power to compel him.
“The Ministry cannot play the role of the monarch. Coronation is a traditional function, not a civil service assignment.
“Under Section 38, the Senator has the right to choose what is best for his conscience and his political future.
“Issuing this directive while Alli is being positioned for the Agodi Government House suggests an attempt to “traditionalize” a political opponent to limit his maneuverability.
An aide of the Senator, Ayo
Adedokun has called upon all APC party members, supporters of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and the good citizens of the State to remain law-abiding and calm.
he said the rule of law remains the ultimate arbiter, adding that, “We must not allow this administrative maneuver to spark unrest or distract from the democratic process. Let us trust in the constitutional protections afforded to every Nigerian and allow the legal and traditional processes to take their rightful course without intimidation.
“Ibadan remains a city of intellect and order; let us keep it so,” he added.
