Orangun of Ila Denies Endorsing Adeleke for 2026 Osun Governorship Election, Declares Political Neutrality

The Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, has distanced himself from claims that he endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The monarch said he remains politically neutral and has not authorised anyone to pledge support on his behalf for any candidate or political party.

His clarification comes after the Osun State Government announced that a delegation of Ila-Orangun chiefs visited Governor Adeleke and declared support for his re-election, claiming they spoke on behalf of the traditional ruler and the people of the community.

Speaking at his palace, Oba Oyedotun rejected the claim, insisting that as a traditional ruler, he cannot take sides because his subjects belong to different political parties.

According to the royal father, his priority is the growth and development of Ila-Orangun rather than partisan politics. He urged traditional rulers across Yorubaland to avoid actions capable of creating political divisions within their domains.

He noted that politicians, regardless of their party affiliations, remain subjects of their traditional rulers and often maintain cordial relationships despite their political differences.

While acknowledging that the individuals who visited Governor Adeleke are members of the Ila-Orangun community, Oba Oyedotun said he was particularly disturbed by the use of his name in the endorsement.

“What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name,” the monarch said, stressing that he neither approved nor authorised anyone to endorse any governorship candidate on his behalf.