The Oyo State Government has approved the elevation of Senator Sharafadeen Ali, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, along with High Chiefs Bolaji Adewoyin and Kola Babalola, to beaded crown-wearing Obas in Ibadanland.

They are promoted to Ekerin Olubadan, Ekaarun Balogun and Ekarun Olubadan.

Following their promotion, the high chiefs will ascend to obaship status and attain an elevated rank within the state traditional council.

According to reporte agthered that Alli was being considered as a consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 governorship election.

Other APC aspirants eyeing the Oyo governorship seat on the APC platform include the 2023 governorship candidate of the party, Teslim Folarin; senator representing Oyo North, Abdulfatai Buhari; Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; former Oyo Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan; lawyer, Akeem Agbaje; former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; former Oyo Health Commissioner, Azeez Adeduntan; Saheed Oladele, Gbenga Adegbola, and Kunle Busari, the son of the late Ibadan strong politician in the First and Second Republic, Chief Busari Adelakun, popularly known as Eruobodo.

On Thursday, the government approved the promotion of Alli in a memo authorised by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, titled: “Re: Request for the list of High Chiefs who are due for elevation to wear beaded crown in Ibadanland,” with registration number CB,211/10Vol IT/67 dated March 26, 2026, a copy of which was obtained by Journalists.

The letter was addressed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The letter read, “I have the directive to refer to Your Majesty’s correspondence ref no L/ADV/Co/1242/843 dated 23rd March, 2026, in respect of the above and to inform Your Majesty that while making arrangements for the compilation of the High Chiefs and Baales who are due for beaded crown wearing in Ibadanland as requested.

“It is traditionally necessary and very essential at this point in time that the newly elevated Chiefs in Olubadan in Council, i.e. High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, Ekeerin Olubadan, High Chief Sharafadeen Ali, Ekaarun Balogun and High Chief Kola Babalola, Ekaarun Olubadan, should be immediately conferred with beaded crowns in order to avoid unnecessary insinuation that the delay is deliberate and political.

“This is necessary in order to protect the Ibadan traditional institution. To this end, Your Majesty is hereby informed that the coronation/crown-wearing programme for the above-mentioned High Chiefs has been fixed for Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

“The promotion of the affected High Chiefs is in line with the 2024 Chieftaincy law as amended. With the promotion, the affected High Chiefs have become members of the Olubadan Advisory Council,” the letter stressed.

The PUNCH reports that in 2024, the Oyo State Government gazetted the new Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, showing the new amendment.

The new Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which was passed by the state House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2025, revised Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

The original version stated: “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line.”

Section 4 of the amendment, titled “New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration,” replaced “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.”

Section 4 of the new law states: “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”

When contacted the media aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Adeola Oloko, on Thursday, he confirmed the receipt of the letter from the state government.

He said, “The palace has received the letter confirming the promotion of the three high chiefs to the status of the beaded crown-wearing Obas.

“The letter has been forwarded to the beneficiaries, and we are expecting their responses at the appropriate time.”

When also contacted, the Public Relations Officer of APC, Wale Sadare, said, “It is not party affairs. The media aide to the senator will respond accordingly.”

Reacting to the development, a legal practitioner, Muideen  Olagunju, said there was no constitutional provision barring a traditional ruler from contesting elections.

“In my opinion, this is unprecedented in Oyo State. There is no express provision in the law that stops a monarch from contesting elections. It is more of a moral issue rooted in tradition than a legal restriction.”

He added that while traditional rulers were expected to be politically neutral, history has shown instances where monarchs participated in politics without legal consequences.

A close ally of Senator Alli, however, told The PUNCH that the lawmaker would not attend the coronation as fixed by the government.

The ally, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised by the governorship aspirant to respond, said efforts by the Makinde-led government to stop the governorship aspiration of the senator would end in futility.

He said it was clear that Oba Ladoja was not ready for the promotion, as the palace was still compiling a list of other chiefs due for promotion.

Borrowing from the English poet, William Shakespeare, he said: “No amount of water in the rough, rude sea can wash the balm off from a man on whose shoulders it will please God to place the mantle of leadership of the state come next year.”

“Makinde can go ahead with the coronation. By the grace of the Almighty God, Alli will attend his coronation on May 29, 2027, when he will, Deo Volente, be crowned the governor of Oyo State.”

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a formidable political force despite ongoing internal crises.

Saraki made the remarks on Thursday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he dismissed claims that the opposition party had lost relevance.

Responding to insinuations that the PDP is “dead and buried”, Saraki said such perceptions are largely driven by elite political disagreements rather than the reality at the grassroots.

“When you stay here in Abuja, you might say that because of the noise that comes out from the leaders having their disagreement. But when you go out to the states, and you go into the grassroots in different states, you’ll find that PDP is still very, very strong,” he said.

Using Kwara State as an example, the former governor explained that feedback from party stakeholders and grassroots members continues to reflect strong loyalty to the PDP.

“People still have this love and this affiliation for PDP… So yes, there is a lot of noise. But across the country, PDP is still a household name. Is it sellable? It is sellable, very sellable, not only in Kwara, but across the board,” he added.

On internal party matters, Saraki disclosed that although he initially opposed the PDP convention held in Ibadan, he later allowed delegates from Kwara State to participate after assurances that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be present to ensure legitimacy.

He, however, noted that the commission did not attend, stressing that the exercise ought to have been halted under such circumstances. Saraki maintained that his position was guided by principle and the need to uphold due process within the party.

The former Senate President also dismissed rumours suggesting he was considering defection to the All Progressives Congress or other political platforms, reaffirming his commitment to the PDP. He explained that his recent low profile was due to his decision not to contest in upcoming elections, rather than any loss of interest in party affairs.

Saraki further confirmed his intention to attend the party’s forthcoming national convention and urged members to do the same in a bid to strengthen internal cohesion.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he advocated for an inclusive and balanced approach to leadership selection within the party. According to him, the PDP presidential ticket should be zoned to the South, while the national chairman position should be allocated to the North-Central region to ensure equity.

He acknowledged that the party’s current challenges have set it back but expressed optimism that the crisis could ultimately strengthen its prospects if properly managed. Saraki also warned against the dangers of a one-party state, noting that a strong opposition remains vital to Nigeria’s democracy.

No fewer than 8,433 delegates are expected to participate in the 2026 national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Eagle Square, Abuja.They will be led by President Bola Tinubu, 31 governors, and members of his cabinet.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this at a meeting with journalists at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja to unveil plans and expectations for the upcoming event, scheduled for March 27 and 28.

Idris, who serves as Co-Chairman of the convention’s Media and Publicity Committee, outlined readiness, logistics, and the party’s democratic messaging ahead of the event.

He called on members of the committee to work together in unity to ensure effective communication and successful delivery of the convention.

“A lot of sacrifice is expected from all, in line with the party’s vision for a united and disciplined approach to communicating to Nigerians,” he said.

The minister reminded members that the APC must continue to uphold strong internal democratic values.

“As party members, we must reflect a significant attribute of our president,” Idris said.

He added that the forthcoming convention represented an important milestone for the party as it continues to strengthen its internal structures and democratic processes.

Already, the party has confirmed it will adopt a consensus approach for selecting national leaders during the convention.

Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity, Mary Ikoku, who disclosed the plan on Wednesday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, added that the party has not yet decided how elective positions during primaries will be handled, noting that decisions may vary with local political dynamics.

The meeting on Thursday had governors, the leadership of its 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee, with its chairman and vice chairman, among other stakeholders.

The event also had in attendance the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and the Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare.

The convention will allow APC members to choose national executives who will pilot the affairs of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new national officers would be expected to conduct the party primaries that will produce candidates for the presidential, governorship, House of Assembly, and National Assembly elections.