Youths in Odigbo town, Ondo State, staged a peaceful protest against what they described as the unlawful imposition of a regent in Omifon town.
Hundreds of protesters, drawn from various communities, marched through the town, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards.
Messages included: “Regents are not chosen in the mosque, but by the chieftaincy declaration of Ondo State” and “Ondo State Police, please stop intimidating us, be neutral.”
The controversy followed the death of the Omifon monarch, Alhaji Yusuf Adesina, in November 2025.
The process of appointing a regent has since been a source of dispute.
The youths alleged that certain individuals were attempting to impose a regent illegally, bypassing traditional procedures.
Kolawole Ademusuru, spokesperson for the protesters, said the demonstration aimed to correct “misleading and erroneous information” being spread by people seeking to create unrest.
He stressed that every community had customs governing the selection of traditional leaders.
Ademusuru added that the rightful appointment of a regent falls under the authority of Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, the monarch of Odigbo Kingdom.
He condemned a recent meeting in a mosque where another individual was allegedly declared regent contrary to established customs.
Addressing the protesters, Odigbo Local Government Chairman, Taiwo Adegoroye, urged calm and assured them their concerns would reach the governor.
He warned that anyone parading themselves as regent would face arrest.
Adegoroye praised the youths for their peaceful conduct, stressing the need to respect tradition.
“We have to follow the customs of our communities,” he said, calling for patience until a lawful selection is completed.
