Controversy is brewing in Ijesa-Isu Ekiti, Nigeria, due to the appointment of a new Obanla. The process of filling the vacant seat of Obanla commenced with the submission of letters of intent by interested contestants and was followed by payment of the prescribed sum of five hundred thousand Naira from 12 contestants in the three ruling houses.
While contestants awaited approval from the local government to commence the screening and selection process, the head of princes, Chief Odofin Oke Osa (Sunday Babalola), compromised the neutrality, traditions, and sacredness of the obaship institution by choosing someone to take the seat of his own choosing and without consulting the ruling houses.
Community members and leaders of Ijesa-Isu are protesting the illegality of the move to place an Obanla outside of the Chieftaincy Declaration of 1983 and 2012, which states the process and order when choosing an Obanla.