Crisis of Tradition: Ipele Grapples with Kingship Disputes, Palace Scandal

IPELE, ONDO STATE — The ancient town of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State is once again in the spotlight, as tensions over its traditional leadership system deepen amid fresh allegations against the sitting monarch.

A prominent indigene and high chief, Chief (Dr.) Adewunmi Abitoye, has traced the town’s current challenges to a controversial shift away from its long-standing traditional process of selecting the Olupele.

According to Abitoye, Ipele historically operated a “ladder system” of succession—similar to the Olubadan model in Ibadan—whereby chiefs ascended the throne in a structured progression. However, this system was altered following agitation by some indigenes who demanded a more educated monarch.

“I was the President of the Ipele Development Association (IDA) at the time,” Abitoye recalled. “On August 16, 1980 during my mother’s burial, youths protested, insisting that the town wanted an ‘Olómọ̀wé’—a learned person—as king. That was how the process began.”

He explained that the agitation led to a series of memoranda submitted to the state government, eventually culminating in a judicial inquiry into traditional matters headed by Justice Adeloye. The outcome was a restructured system that introduced rotational kingship among quarters of the town.

Despite the reform, Abitoye noted that the town has struggled to maintain stability since abandoning the traditional succession method. He called for peace and reconciliation among all stakeholders.

Recent developments have further intensified concerns. The Olupele of Ipele, Oba Samuel Oluwasola Daramola, has been accused by a 21-year-old woman, identified as Grace, of alleged sexual misconduct and threats to her life—claims that have sparked outrage within and beyond the community.

The allegations come months after an attack on the town’s police station, compounding Ipele’s challenges.

Investigations reveal that prior to the reforms of the late 20th century, Ipele had no rigid ruling house system. Instead, succession to the throne rotated among three quarters—Okeriwo, Igemo, and Ilana while five other communities, including Ofi and Ujan, maintained distinct traditional authorities such as the Olofi of Ofi and the Oloten of Ujan.

However, reforms spearheaded in the 1980s and 1990s by the IDA abolished the ladder system and controversially reclassified these traditional heads as kingmakers, a move now criticized by some elders as a violation of longstanding customs.

The transition has been marked by instability. The first monarch under the new system, the late Oba Abel Alade, reportedly had a turbulent reign until his death in 2015. A seven-year interregnum followed—the longest in the town’s history—before the installation of Oba Olusegun Agaun in 2022. Agaun’s reign was short-lived, ending just eight months after his coronation.

Oba Daramola, installed in 2024 as the third monarch under the revised system, now faces mounting criticism amid the latest controversy.

Many residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns that the new system has not delivered the expected progress. Some argue that Ipele’s political influence within Owo LGA has declined, describing the town as “a shadow of its former self.”

Elders also point to achievements recorded under the old system, including the construction of a federal highway and electrification of the town, as evidence that traditional rulers without formal education were still effective leaders.

“There is power in tradition,” one elder said. “A town that forgets its roots risks losing its identity.”

Further criticism has been directed at what residents describe as the commercialization of chieftaincy titles. Traditionally, chieftaincy positions were pathways to the throne and required rigorous screening and adherence to custom. However, some allege that titles are now conferred indiscriminately, eroding their cultural significance.

Concerns have also been raised over alleged interference in land matters involving communities such as Ofi, regarded as one of the original settlers of Ipele. Critics argue that a monarch who rose through the traditional system would have possessed deeper historical knowledge and cultural grounding.

As tensions persist, calls are growing for a return to the ancestral ladder system. Many indigenes believe that restoring traditional practices is key to resolving the ongoing crisis and restoring stability.

“The town must retrace its steps before it is too late,” an elder warned.

Chief Abitoye informed about importance of ascending through the ladder in the tradition and and culture of the town as of very importance and significant at selecting a monarch for the town.