The Mahin community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State is in uproar following the controversial appointment of Oyetayo Ofoaye as the new Alaboto of Aboto. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s choice of Ofoaye, a man from the Ikohi family of Ugbo, has sparked widespread rejection, with the Mahin people asserting that he is not from their lineage and therefore cannot ascend to the revered throne.
A Clash of Traditions and Allegiance
The Mahin leaders, led by Pastor Oyekan Arije, Chairman of the Mahin Central Organisation, have strongly opposed Ofoaye’s appointment. In a statement issued on behalf of the community, they argued that Ofoaye’s descent from the Ikohi family, a group that hails from Ugbo, disqualifies him from becoming the Alaboto of Aboto. According to Mahin tradition, only individuals from the Mahin lineage are allowed to hold the Alaboto title, and they are appointed by the Amapetu, the prescribed authority of the Mahin Kingdom.
“We are not oblivious to the Governor’s long-standing desire to impose someone from his own Ugbo stock as the Oba in the Mahin community of Aboto,” said Arije, emphasizing that the Mahin Kingdom, particularly Aboto, has always been governed by people of Mahin descent. He further stated that the Mahin people felt betrayed after delivering substantial support to Aiyedatiwa during the recent gubernatorial election, only to be “compensated” with what they described as the “desecration” of their traditions.
Aboto’s Historic Significance to Mahin People
Arije highlighted the deep historical connection between the Mahin people and Aboto, stressing the community’s crucial role in the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Protection between Queen Victoria of England and the Amapetu of Mahin in 1885. He pointed out that Aboto has been governed by the Idiogbe family, who are of Mahin origin, for generations, and that this tradition should remain intact.
“Aboto is a Mahin community, established by the Mahin people long ago, and no person from the Ikohi family has ever ruled or been associated with Aboto,” Arije declared. He reiterated that according to customary law, the ruler of Aboto must be of Mahin descent, appointed by the Amapetu.
The Mahin Kingdom’s Struggle for Recognition
The controversy surrounding the Alaboto of Aboto title has deepened in recent years. Arije recounted how the Amapetu of Mahin, alongside the Oloja of Aboto, petitioned the Ondo State government to recognize the Alaboto chieftaincy. In 2007, the Ondo State Executive Council granted recognition to the title, elevating it to the status of an Oba. The chieftaincy was further formalized in 2019 under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, with the appointment of Oba Beniah Adeola Idiogbe as the Alaboto of Aboto in line with Mahin customary law.
Following the passing of Oba Idiogbe in 2021, his daughter, Princess Olajiire Margaret Odusami-Idiogbe, was appointed as the Regent, a role she has held in accordance with the Mahin Kingdom’s laws. Arije pointed out that it was under these same laws that Prince Ololade Smart Idiogbe was named the new Alaboto in November 2024 by the Aboto kingmakers. His appointment, however, is still awaiting formal approval from the Ondo State Executive Council, as required by the state’s Chiefs Law.
The Ikohi Family’s Disputed Claim
Arije did not mince words when addressing the claims made by Ofoaye and his supporters. According to him, the Ikohi family’s involvement in Aboto’s chieftaincy affairs has always been contentious. While the Ikohi family traces its roots to Ugbo, their presence in Mahin communities like Aboto is seen by the Mahin people as an intrusion. Arije dismissed Ofoaye’s claims to the Alaboto throne as baseless, accusing him of being part of a larger effort by some elements of the Ikohi family to unlawfully seize control of the Alaboto title through “violence, false claims, and frivolous cases.”
“It is beyond doubt that Aboto is a Mahin community, and no person from the Ikohi family has ever ruled or been associated with the Alaboto of Aboto chieftaincy,” Arije asserted. He pointed to several legal battles, including multiple lawsuits filed by the Ikohi family, which were either dismissed or abandoned due to the clear applicability of Mahin customary law.
Government’s Role Under Fire
The Mahin leaders are also critical of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s role in the controversy. They accuse the governor of attempting to impose an “alien” ruler on the Mahin people as part of a larger political strategy to favor his own kinsmen. The appointment of Ofoaye, according to Arije, is seen as a reward to the Ikohi family for their violent actions in the past, which included the destruction of the Oloja’s palace in 2007 and the violent events surrounding the burial of the late Oba Beniah in 2021.
“By appointing Oyetayo Ofoaye as the Alaboto, the government has now rewarded the violent Ikohi family with a Mahin crown,” Arije stated. “This is unacceptable to the people of Mahin.”
A Strong Message to the Government
The Mahin community is resolute in its stance. Arije concluded by making it clear that the Mahin people would not accept this imposition, regardless of the political pressures involved. He vowed that they would continue to defend their culture and traditions, even if it meant enduring hardship and facing executive overreach.
“Our land and crown remain our inalienable and priceless heritage,” Arije declared. “We will endure all pains, indignation, and deprivations in the defense of our heritage.”
