Following the recent Supreme Court Judgment which terminated the 21 year royal reign of former Eleruwa of Eruwa, Mr. Samuel Adebayo Adegbola and consequently declared vacant the stool of the popular town. The Laribikusi Ruling Quarters billed to produce the next king have begun to reach out to the kingmakers, Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered
Eruwa, the headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area in South-western Nigeria located in Oyo state. Eruwa is 72 km South west of Ibadan and 60 km North east of Abeokuta.
According to Eruwa declaration of 1958, the Akalako (Akalakoyi) Ruling Quarters and Laribikusi (Olaribikusi) Ruling Quarters are the only two Families that can produce the Eleruwa of Eruwa.
Our reporter reliably gathered that the Laribikusi Ruling Quarters with candidates from four sections; comprising of Omoni, Sabi, Ajao and Lasubu would be considered by the Kingmakers. They have started discreet moves to position their respective candidates for the exalted position.
Our further checks revealed that the sacked Eleruwa of Eruwa, Adegbola’s predecessor, the late Oba Bolanle Olaniyan Gbajumola II, who reigned between 1972-1994 came from the Akalako Ruling Quarters, therefore; it is the turn of Laribikusi Ruling Quarters to produce the next Eleruwa.
“Declaration that following the death of Oba Bolanle Olaniyan from the Akalako Ruling Quarters, is the turn of Laribikusi Ruling Quarters to present the new Eleruwa and the first defendant, being a member of the same Akalako Ruling Quarters with late Oba Bolanle Olaniyan is not qualified to contest or ascend the throne”, the Supreme court judgement reads.
Members of the Laribikusi Ruling Quarters, whose candidates would be considered for the throne had started in house screening of aspirants in readiness for when the race would formally begin. However, one of the major traditions being considered, according to an informed source, was that the next successor must have his forebear (s), as a former king buried in Igbo Iwaye, where the late kings were interred .
The source added that the next king must be educated, popular, outspoken, integrity personified, exposed and be an outstanding personality that would command respect of all and sundry. “He must also be able to use his influence to attract more development to the town”, he concluded.
