By Our Editor
On Thursday evening, the Oyo State Government announced its plan to install Sarafadeen Alli, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District as a beaded crown wearing chiefs in Ibadanland.
Ali is one of the prominent politicians nursing the ambition to succeed the incumbent helmsman, Seyi Makinde. He is of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.
The plan to make the national lawmaker a beaded crown chief and one of the lieutenants of the Olubadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, was announced in a letter signed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo.
Ojo in the letter dated 26 March, 2026 and addressed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, said the coronation is long overdue.
Those listed to be installed as Obas are High Chief Alli, High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin and High Chief Kola Babalola.
According to the letter, the coronation ceremony has been scheduled for April 3, 2026, at Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the announcement has sparked speculations about the real intention of Governor Seyi Makinde considering Ali’s status and political affiliation. Pundits have started asking questions: Is this meant to be a decoration or distraction for Ali? Is Makinde playing politics using the traditional institution?. No doubt, the governor’s decision is mind-boggling.
Well, politics on several occasions has been likened to a game, though it is often qualified as “dirty”. Perhaps the word “dirty” used to describe the game of politics speaks volumes of its cut-throat nature. Strategems, shenanigans and even brinkmanship all come with the slippery territory of politics. No doubt, the arena of politics is not for the lily-livered.
Politics is taxing but also thrilling, it is exciting and exhausting in equal measures. That’s the way of a game, any game worth its salt, anyway. Yet, politics with all its intrinsic ugliness is an integral part of human life. We can’t avoid it like the plague. It is an essential game we all play at homes, work places, Churches, Mosques and even in the circle of friends.
It is believed that everything is fair in love and war. Politics is war by another name. No institution or activity is too sacred for politicians to exploit for political mileage. Is the governor trying to pull the rug off one of the formidable men in the opposition camp using the Ibadan traditional stool? Enough of the digression.
There’s no law that forbids a beaded crown chief from contesting an elective position. In fact, Ali is even at liberty to reject what many may consider as a “Greek gift” from the governor.
Yet the question remains: What ace does Governor Seyi Makinde have up his sleeve? Is this magnanimity or malice packaged as kindness? Is this a real gift or a poisoned chalice?. Is this a joker in Mr Governor’s pack of political cards?
Peoplestemplate wants to know what of our readers think of Makinde’s move. Over to you, readers…
