“Oba Ku San Ju Oba Nun Lo” (A dead king is better than a missing king)
The whereabouts of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the traditional ruler of Ipetumodu in Osun State, remain unknown. According to media reports, the monarch was last seen in April 2024. Since then, neither his chiefs nor his subjects have had any clear information on his location. His absence has left the town, known for its largely agrarian population, without traditional leadership, and perhaps only his Olori (queen) truly knows where he is.
Speculations abound. Some say the Oba is undergoing medical treatment in a hidden hospital, much like some political leaders in the past. Others allege that he is entangled in a legal battle in the United States over COVID-19 relief fund fraud. What is certain is that the US-based monarch has remained incommunicado.
This situation is unprecedented. We’ve heard of monarchs kidnapped by insurgents, dethroned for misconduct, jailed for crimes, publicly humiliated at social events, or caught in scandals involving political rigging, drugs, or even illicit affairs. But a missing Oba? That’s a first.
At this point, the Oba remains unaccounted for, leaving the people of Ipetumodu in uncertainty as they await the return of their missing king. The throne sits in limbo, and the once-vibrant town is left with more questions than answers.
