No controversy over Oba Adegbola's appointment as new Eleruwa - Akalako ruling House
Akalako ruling House of Eruwa community in Ibarapa East Local Government Areas of Oyo State has faulted the position of Laribikusi ruling House over the appointment of the new Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola.
This followed the threat by the Laribikusi ruling House to challenge the decision of Governor Seyi Makinde who had on March 6, 2025, issued certificate and presented staff of office to Adegbola as the new Eleruwa.
The family asked Makinde to reverse the appointment or face law suit, claiming the supreme Court judgement has mandated it to present candidate for the stool after Adegbola was sacked in 2019.
It further alleged that the family was not contacted to present it's candidate thereby challenge the council official to present the evidence of notification allegedly sent to the Laribikusi ruling House.
But, Head of the Olurin family of Akalako ruling house, Chief Pade Babalola, while addressing newsmen, insisted that there is no controversy in the legally constituted process which produced the monarch.
Babalola explained that the choice of Oba Adegbola from Akalako ruling House as a new dawn, the wish of God and the wisdom kingmakers, as well as the goodwill of the people of Eruwa.
He commended Governor Makinde for his exceptional leadership qualities, with the rejuvenation of the traditional institutions in the state.
According to him, the town is relatively peaceful as usual against the rumour by some people who are deliberately chosen to be misleading the public with malicious media updates.
“For reasons best known to some individuals, they have bastardized, abused the values of our respected custom and tradition, suffocated the system with different forms of litigation, and less bothered with the growth of the town. There’s a need to respect and propagate our cultural values, custom and traditions.
“Some people may not know how the whole thing started, I wish to State categorically that the Olaribikusi ruling house started it, when they initiated a legal battle against themselves, a house divided against itself cannot stand. It was the internal wrangling which they could not manage that produced the free, fair selection of Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola.
“As stipulated in the Chieftaincy law, the need to transfer the throne to the next ruling house, Akalako emerged, where Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola emerged as he was nominated by the Olurin Royal family of the Akalako ruling house, amongst 18 princes who submitted their nominations. Hence, the decision of the Oyo State Government has quoted the relevant sections of the chieftaincy administration law which empower the Governor the discretionary right and sole authority to act as he did.
It is this protracted delay added to the previous legal delays which convinced the OYSG that Olaribikusi ruling house was unable to follow through on the candidate selection process, hence the transfer of the throne to the next ruling house, Akalako, where Oba Samuel Adegbola emerged as he was nominated by the Olurin Royal family of Akalako the Akalako ruling house, and selected among the 18 princes who submitted their nominations. Even for this decision, the Oyo State Government has quoted the relevant sections of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Administration Law, which empowered the Governor as he did.
“It should also be noted that when Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola was removed initially, following the Supreme Court judgement, he was given only what he was entitled to as his outstanding emoluments, which was calculated by various ministries and departments of the government, no more or less, therefore, anyone who is insinuating otherwise is nothing but a mischievous person.
“As we prepare for the coronation, we should not be carried away by the jobless, malicious and mischief makers, who are feeding the public with wrong information to antagonize the lawful process which produced Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola, Ajobo Olurin I,” he added.
Chief Babalola, however, asked the residents in the community and the public to disregard the allegations against the State government instead they should go about their lawful business without any fear
