Oyo State Governor, Engr.  Seyi Makinde has approved the reappointment of Prince Samuel Adebayo Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa, according to a statement from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that the Eleruwa stool has remained vacant since November 2019, when the Supreme Court dethroned Oba Adegbola.

The ruling found that his ascension was inconsistent with the 1957 Eruwa Chieftaincy Declaration, thereby ending his 21-year reign. This decision left the community in a state of uncertainty and opened the door for renewed debate over traditional leadership in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Selection Process and Government’s Justification

The selection process for a new Eleruwa commenced after the Laribikusi Ruling House, which had been entangled in internal disputes, appointed Chief Dejo Akinlade as its head.

The recent reappointment of Prince Adegbola has ignited controversy within the Eruwa community.

However,  the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, claimed that the Laribikusi Ruling Quarters failed to present a candidate within the stipulated timeframe, as outlined in Section 15(1) of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 of Oyo State.

Consequently, the Akalako Ruling House was recognised as the next eligible ruling house to nominate a candidate.

It was further claimed that after a selection process conducted by the Kingmakers of Eruwa, Prince Adebayo Adegbola from the Akalako Ruling House was unanimously chosen as the sole candidate to ascend the throne.

Opposition from Laribikusi Ruling House

However, the selection has not been without controversy. The Laribikusi Ruling House has openly rejected Prince Adegbola’s appointment, alleging that powerful individuals are attempting to manipulate the selection process.

The family insists that it remains the rightful ruling house to produce the next Eleruwa, in line with the 1957 Eruwa Chieftaincy Declaration and the Supreme Court ruling that removed the former Oba, the same Prince Adegbola. They have called on Governor Makinde to intervene to prevent what they describe as a violation of the town’s traditional institution.

Some indigenes and stakeholders within the community have also expressed concerns, urging the government to tread carefully to avoid deepening divisions in the town.

Traditional leadership tussles have historically led to prolonged legal battles and community unrest in some parts of Oyo State, and many residents are calling for dialogue to ensure peace and unity in Eruwa.

Government’s Stance and Call for Unity

Despite the brewing dissent, the government maintains that due process was meticulously followed in the reappointment. Commissioner Oyelade claimed that the decision was made in line with due process and that the appointment of Prince Adegbola aligns with the Governor  Makinde administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions in Oyo State. He noted that with this appointment, the state government has now successfully coronated 11 Kings and 40 Baales, setting a record in Yoruba traditional history.

Commissioner Ojo has also called on all Eruwa sons and daughters to embrace the new Eleruwa, urging them to support his leadership for the peace, unity, and development of the town.

What’s Next?

With Prince Adebayo Adegbola’s formal coronation on the horizon, the focus now shifts to how the concerns raised by the Laribikusi Ruling House will be addressed. Will the government engage the aggrieved parties to ensure an amicable resolution, or will the controversy lead to fresh legal battles—adding to the existing litigation following Governor Makinde’s declaration of Prince Adegbola as the new Eleruwa?

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The sacked Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola on Sunday (February 16th, 2020) resumed at the Eleruwa Palace, Eruwa in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo state amidst hired thugs and members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Mega Icon Magazine reliably gathered.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had earlier sacked Oba Adegbola  and six others, dismissing an appeal they lodged before it as lacking in merit.

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The post Oyo: Supreme Court Ends 21- Year Royal Reign, Sacks Eleruwa, Oba Adegbola first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The governor urged the people of Ibarapa land to rally behind the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate for Saturday’s Assembly bye election, whom he described as the best among the candidates.

The seat had become vacant following the sudden death of the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo, who represented the constituency in the Assembly until April 27.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters of the party during a campaign rally at Eruwa, Ajimobi reminded the people to reciprocate the good gesture of his administration as exemplified by the several completed and ongoing projects in the area.

In his words, “Ibarapa people are very close and dear to me. I can unequivocally say that Ibarapa had taken a front burner since I became the governor of this state. The access road to Ibarapa, which had long been abandoned, received the needed attention under my administration.

Ajimobi addressing party faithful, supporters in Eruwa yesterday

“Past administrations had merely patched the road. But, when we came on board, we decided to reconstruct and dualise it. Similarly, Ibarapa Polytechnic used to be a satellite campus of Ibadan Polytechnic, but today, it has become an autonomous polytechnic, courtesy of our administration.

“Apart from these, we are also working on the provision of potable water for Ibarapa, which is located in Ayete. We have nearly completed the project and it will certainly extend here. Ninety per cent of the work had been completed. It will serve several communities around here”.

The governor continued, ” but, I am hearing certain things from the grapevine about Eruwa. Some people are complaining that we created more local council development areas and reviewed the existing border delineation.

(L-R) Oyo APC State Chairman, Chief Oke, Governor Ajimobi and his Wife; Mrs Florence Ajimobi during the rally

“Whatever the case may be these are minor issues that should be resolved through dialogue. Let’s settle them amicably. When our father, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi pointed out some of our oversights during a similar exercise in Oyo we resolved the issues peacefully.

“This won’t be different. I’m a man of peace and I’m appealing to our people in Eruwa to embrace dialogue on the matter.”

The campaign train visit to Eleruwa of Eruwa’s palace, Oba Samuel Adegbola yesterday

The campaign train had earlier visited the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, to seek royal blessing for the APC candidate.

The monarch used the occasion to commend the Ajimobi’s administration for giving the people of Ibarapa a full-fledged polytechnic, located in Eruwa; a College of Agriculture and Technology at Igbo-Ora, as well as a College of Education of Education, in Lanlate.

He said, “We appreciate the efforts of the present government in Oyo State, led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi in the areas of standard road infrastructure. During this administration, new things that have affected the people positively have happened.

“We know many things are still in the pipeline but we appreciate the ones we are currently enjoying. We have a full-fledged polytechnic; our college of education is there in Lanlate and today, Ibarapa is proud to have the College of Agriculture and Technology at Igbo-Ora.

“The long-abandoned Ibadan-Eruwa road is enjoying reconstruction presently and we expect many more projects. We therefore need to consolidate on these and give further support to the Ajimobi’s administration. I wish the candidate success in the bye election”.

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