Ooni and Olubadan lead a South-West monarchs’ meeting in Ibadan to discuss regional security, economic development and the 2027 elections
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, hosted a gathering of leading South-West traditional rulers at the Olubadan’s Palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, Oyo State, for discussions on regional security, economic development and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The closed-door meeting brought together prominent monarchs representing different communities across the South-West, reflecting renewed efforts by the traditional institution to strengthen regional cooperation and address issues affecting their people.
Among those attending were the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III; the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi; and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado.
Also present were the Aseyin of Iseyin, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye and other traditional rulers from across the region.
A palace source familiar with the discussions told The PUNCH that the monarchs intended to deliberate on issues affecting the South-West.
“The traditional rulers would deliberate on the various issues affecting the region,” the source said.
The source added that security, economic development and the 2027 general elections were among the matters scheduled for discussion.
Although the monarchs had yet to make their deliberations public at the time of reporting, the choice of issues reflects the growing expectations placed on traditional institutions to contribute to conversations about security, governance and economic progress.
The gathering also comes against the backdrop of persistent security concerns across parts of the South-West, including kidnapping, banditry and criminal activities in rural communities.
In June 2026, the Ooni of Ife called on traditional rulers across Yorubaland to strengthen cooperation among themselves and work more closely with security agencies to tackle criminal activities.
Speaking during the grand finale of the 2026 Ifa Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Oba Ogunwusi emphasised the importance of combining traditional institutions, community values and formal security arrangements.
“We must rise collectively against the menace of banditry and kidnapping. Enough is enough.
Our people deserve to live in peace and move freely without fear,” the monarch said, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare.
The Ooni has also previously argued that traditional rulers occupy an important position in grassroots security because of their close relationships with residents and their understanding of local communities.
In November 2025, he called for stronger cooperation between traditional institutions and political leaders, warning against allowing partisan disagreements to undermine efforts to address insecurity.
“We traditional rulers, we are the closest to our people. We know the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The latest Ibadan meeting follows other regional engagements involving traditional rulers and security stakeholders.
In August 2026, The PUNCH reported plans for a meeting involving the Ooni and other South-West monarchs with Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, in Ijero-Ekiti.
The proposed discussions were expected to focus on regional security, the protection of rural communities and cooperation with local security initiatives. The meeting was presented as part of wider efforts to strengthen community-based security arrangements across Yorubaland.
Similarly, in February 2021, South-West governors, traditional rulers and security chiefs met in Ibadan to examine the region’s security challenges.
The gathering produced discussions on forest management, border security and measures to address open grazing, demonstrating that regional security cooperation has remained an important concern for political and traditional leaders over several years.
Beyond security, economic development is another significant issue surrounding the current gathering.
Just a day before the meeting, on November 10, 2026, Oba Ladoja signed a comprehensive economic and investment blueprint prepared by the Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee.
The document provides a framework for development interventions in agriculture, mining, tourism, security and industry, with the broader ambition of attracting investment and strengthening economic activities across Ibadanland.
Ladoja described the document as an economic charter designed to guide the city’s development programme.
The committee, constituted in October 2025, is chaired by former minister Chief Onikepo Akande, with former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi, serving as co-chairman.
The development agenda offers an important backdrop to the monarchs’ discussions, particularly as traditional institutions increasingly seek to complement government initiatives in attracting investment, supporting local businesses and improving community welfare.
The reference to the 2027 general elections also adds a political dimension to the gathering, although there has been no official indication that the monarchs intend to endorse any political party or candidate.
Their discussions, as reported by the palace source, are expected to cover broader issues affecting the region rather than a declared partisan position.
With influential royal institutions represented at the Olubadan’s Palace, the meeting provides an opportunity to strengthen dialogue among traditional leaders at a time when security, economic pressures and political developments remain important concerns across the South-West.
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The outcome of the discussions, including any resolutions or joint positions, is expected to provide a clearer indication of the monarchs’ priorities and the role they intend to play in addressing the region’s challenges.
