The Story Of His Many Battles
Another history was made in Eruwa last week. The town, which is the headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, was agog for the coronation ceremony of a new king.
Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola, Ajobo Olurin I, was earlier presented with the staff and instrument of office by the state’s governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde in March this year as the Eleruwa of Eruwaland, signaling a new dawn for the town.
The grandeur coronation ceremony attracted not only Indigenes of the town, but also notable traditional rulers, as well as government functionaries and top dignitaries from across the state and beyond. It was a whole week event marked with different activities including traditional rites, cultural displays, football competition and more.
The carnival-like event and the massive turnout as witnessed during the coronation wasn’t unexpected. This is because the town, known for its rich cultural heritage and agricultural productivity, is getting another king after the stool has been vacant for good 6 years.
Of course, a glamorous ceremony was witnessed by all and sundry but not many people know about the intense traditional and legal battles that the monarch fought before now.
Oba Adegbola, a retired officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, prior to his eventual reappointment and installation, , had earlier been crowned as Eleruwa in 1998 but was deposed in 2019 as result of Supreme Court judgement in a case instituted by an opposing ruling house (Laribikusi) in the town.
So, for 6 years Oba Adegbola fought what could be described as a major traditional battle of his life before he later participated in the fresh selection process that gave birth to his emergence. And that explains why the monarch, in a recent interview with Tribune, stated that his case is not a reinstatement but a new coming as Eleruwa through a new process.
“My issue is not reinstatement, I am coming on board as a new Eleruwa of Eruwa with a new process, I am appointed as a new Eleruwa. I feel very glad by my appointment and I give all glory and adoration to God Almighty who has made it possible for me to be appointed this time around,” Oba Adegbola noted.
Also to show that it’s indeed a new dawn, the monarch, a few days before the coronation, wrote on his Facebook page that his appointment doesn’t mean that there is Victor or Vanquished but rather a victory for all.
He said: “My great people of Eruwa, Ibarapa and the entire Oyo State. As we begin the journey of new dawn I will categorically state that there’s no Victor and there’s no Vanquished in the royal journey so far, it is a victory for us all… it is indeed a Win for us all. As we are all one bound in one royal blood, let’s make it work together and give our great town Eruwa an enviable status. Let’s come out immersively to make it a glamorous day. May God Almighty protect and guard us. I love you all.”
But what really was the genesis of the traditional crisis and the prolonged legal battle that ousted Oba Adegbola in the first place? The crux of the matter then was that the then Prince Adegbola is of the female child of the Akindele Ruling House where he emerged from in 1998. That, we gathered, is against the established provision through which Eleruwa should be selected.
There are two direct ruling houses in the town, the Akalakoyi and the Olaribikusi. But under these two royal houses, several families have since spring up. One of which is Ajao family of Olaribikusi dynasty, where Oba Adegbola’s own mother comes from.
Unfortunately the chieftaincy declaration stated that a prince from the female side can only ascend the throne when there is no “qualified” candidate from the male line. That was exactly the clause used to remove Oba Adegbola through legal means in 2019.
Now, the monarch had successfully staged an interesting come back to the throne by contesting from his father’s family, the Olurin of Akalakoyi Ruling House.
-Dare Adeniran
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