Eleruwa: Laribikusi Family Heads to Court, Says Family Rejects Adegbola's Installation

 

The Labirikusi ruling family of Eruwa in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State has again threatened to challenge the fresh coronation of Oba Samuel Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa.

The New Eleruwa was sacked in November 2019 after 21 years on the throne following his ascension in 1998 through his maternal root but he was re-nominated from his father's family and his eventual coronation on Saturday, June 28, 2025

But, The Labirikusi family re-emphasized its stance in a statement signed on its behalf by Prince Raimi Salawu ( Head Omoni Quarter); Prince Lamidi Ojuolape ( Secretary Ajao Quarter); Prince (Dn) Emmanuel O Adeyemi (Head Sabi Quarter), and Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Head Agbaaragba Quarter), describing it as illegal and unacceptable.

According to the family, the title 'Ajobo Olurin' confirmed that Oba Adegbola is from Igboora, another community in Ibarapaland.

The family, however, insisted that they will go to all extent within the ambits of the law to reverse the injustice.

 

The statement read:

“We, members of Laribikusi ruling house dissociate ourselves from the purported “re-coronation” of Samuel Adegbola as the new Eleruwa of Eruwa.

“Samuel Adegbola deprived us at Laribikusi ruling house of our rightful turn to occupy the throne by fraudulently occupying it for twenty-one years. He claimed to be a rightful heir to the revered throne until he was removed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the November 29th, 2019.

“Unfortunately, the remnants of the forces that imposed him on Eruwa people in1994 still prevailed on the current political powers in Oyo state to return him back to the throne with the help of his hand-picked kingmakers headed by Odofin Olatunji Samuel Oladiran.

“In his first inglorious reign as the Eleruwa of Eruwa, he bore the title “Akindele I”. Again, in his usual characteristic manner, upon his return by Oyo State government, he titled himself “Ajobo Olurin I”.

“We want to state categorically that there is no Ajobo or Akindele royal lineages in the Eruwa Royal Family. The last Olurin that reigned in Eruwa was Oba Adegboye, Olurin IV (1947 – 1959). With his “Ajobo” title, Samuel Adegbola has confirmed the historical fact that his great grandfather was settler from Igbo-Ora.

“We, members of royal family in Eruwa (“Awa omo oba ilu Eruwa”) can authoritatively state that Ajobo is not a royal lineage in Eruwa. We want the whole world to know that we are not a party to any arrangement that seeks to impose a settler from Igbo-Ora on Eruwa town as our Oba.

“This action is an affront to the traditions and customs of Eruwa people, and we will not recognise or legitimise it in any way. It is not a secret that Laribikusi ruling house made several efforts to let the governor of Oyo State and those in authority know the truth about the grand plan to return Samuel Adegbola to the throne by all means but we were ignored.

“Open letters were written to the governor, petitions, press conferences, media announcements were done to let the government know that the right process of selecting new Eleruwa was not duly followed. Unfortunately, all these steps were obviously disregarded.

”We will take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Eruwa town and its people, and to ensure that the traditional institutions are respected and preserved in accordance with our customs and traditions. In the face of flagrant disregard for rule of law, we refuse to be intimidated, and we will not be cowed by arrogant utterances from high quarters.

“We will seek justice for ourselves and our ancestors. No matter how long it takes, victory is assured, and justice will prevail. We implore the peace-loving people of Eruwa to maintain law and order and conduct themselves in peaceful manner. “Onilu koni fe ki ilu ohun kobaje,.”