By Banji Ayoola
The formal process for the selection of the new Olute of Ute in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State will begin next week, The Radiance has learnt.
Already, the Local Government on Thursday collected the academic credentials of the nine candidates vying to succeed Oba Akinrobi, who joined his ancestors in 2025.
The Radiance learnt that the Local Government chairman confirmed to the contestants that the council will begin the selection process next week, as approved and directed by the state government.
The nine contestants are Princes Abimbola Omoloja, Yaya Omoloja, Shehu Omoloja, Bunmi Agbaminoja, Idowu Adewuau, Sunday Adewusi, Olu Oseboyowa, Francis Ajakaye and Sunday.
The state government had kick-started the whole process on September 28 this year when it approved the appointment of three of the kingmakers as warrant chiefs to oversee the new Olute selection process.
It conveyed the approval in a letter to Ute Local Government chairman, dated September 28, 2026, and signed by Olatunde Julius O on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
The letter was titled ‘Approval for the appointment of three warrant chiefs for the purpose of appointing a new Olute of Ute.”
The letter asked the chairman to appoint three listed Warrant Chiefs as approved by the State Executive Council for the purpose of appointing a new Olute of Ute, including Chief Apenuwa – Mr Stephen Ojo; Chief Osuma – Mr Osuma Adepoju Bright; and Chief Owabire – Mr Ademola Owabire.
According to the letter, ‘In view of the above, you are to kindly proceed with the process for the selection of a new Olute of Ute and ensure that the process is in accordance with the native laws and customs of Ute and extant Chiefs’ Law of Ondo State.
‘The comprehensive report if the whole exercise should be forwarded to this office with all relevant documents attached, please.’
One of the nine contestants, Prince Bunmi Agbaminoja, who had submitted their academic certificates to the council as requested, confirmed that the Local Government chairman said that the council chairman said that the new Olute selection process will commence next week.
He told The Radiance that ‘We have given our academic certificates to them. If that is what they want, I have no problem with that. I have confidence in myself.’
On why he is contesting the stool, he said that being a prince from the royal family, it is his right to contest.
According to him, “There is no doubt. I am going to win the contest because I am a man of the people. I am going to take my people to the highest level, cooperate with them, ensure that the community is in order and that everything works well.’
He said without the Oba on the throne, there is nobody to control affairs in the town, and ‘everything is boring’ whereas with an Oba on the throne, ‘business will thrive.’ ‘For now, we pray for the community to move forward,’ he added.
Agbaminoja, who is from the Olute Dynasty Family, described himself as an international man who has been to many places all over the world.
