Otunba Benson Akingbaso has emerged the Aladeokun of Alade.

Alade is a prominent city in Idanreland in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.

His election came after four years the late Oba Olusegun Ayodele Akinbola, joined his ancestors in 2020 at the age of 80.

The contest for the stool on monday 29 April 2024 was between the Oba elect and Akinboro Toba.

Speaking after the election, the Regent and Lisa of Alade-Idanre, Oladipo Akinsowon, said Akingbaso scored 12 votes while Toba had 3 votes noting that the selection process was in line with the tradition of the town.

Akinsowon who is also the Head of the community’s Kingmakers, justified that the former monarch was installed through the ballot process, saying, “After the voting, the outcome shows that Otunba Benson Akingbaso had 12 votes while Prince Akinboro Toba had three votes and in view of this, I therefore declare Akingbaso as the Oba-elect.

“After this process, we will write the local government that Alade has identified who-will-be Oba of this kingdom, so that after that, we will hold another meeting where the secretary of the Local Government to confirm the appointment.

“Thereafter, a letter will be written through my office as the regent and the principal officer of the king makers, to them, confirming the appointment, copy of which will go to the chieftiancy commission in Akure. Afterwards, the traditional people will then come together as headed by my office and will then go to the process of installation.

He said the town was long overdue for a new monarch since the demise of Oba Akinbola who was one of the pioneering producers of the popular sitcom, Village Headmaster, created in 1968 by the late Ambassador Segun Olusola.

Addressing the people of his community after his election, the Oba-elect, Benson Akingbaso promised to foster peace and unity among the people in the community, restore moral values, and bring developments in all its ramifications