By Ayobami, Ife Abeokuta
A major rift has emerged among traditional rulers in Ogun West as a group of monarchs, led by the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has publicly distanced itself from a recent high-profile visit to Ijebu and Remo traditional councils.
The visit, spearheaded by the Olu-Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, reportedly involved a select number of Ogun West Obas engaging in what was described as a “strategic meeting” with monarchs from other divisions of the state.
However, Akinyemi, speaking on behalf of a majority within the Yewa Traditional Council, said the move was neither discussed nor approved, insisting it should not be taken as representing the collective position of Ogun West monarchs.
Describing the development as surprising and unilateral, the dissenting monarchs argued that the visit was ill-timed, especially coming shortly after the death of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. They expressed regret that the delegation chose to engage in political discussions rather than first paying a condolence visit to Ijebu traditional authorities.
While appreciating the hospitality and longstanding support of Remo and Ijebu monarchs—including the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, and other revered rulers—the Ogun West monarchs emphasized the need for respect, consultation, and unity in inter-regional engagements.
The statement further warned against what it described as premature political alignment ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State.
Although acknowledging the legitimacy of Ogun West’s agitation to produce the next governor, the monarchs criticized attempts to promote a particular aspirant, notably Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, without broader consensus.
According to them, such moves risk deepening divisions among aspirants from Ogun West, including prominent figures like Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Abiodun Akinlade, Sharafa Ishola, and Iyabo Obasanjo, among others.
They also noted that neither President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nor Governor Dapo Abiodun has endorsed any candidate, stressing that early endorsements by traditional rulers could create unnecessary tension within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reiterating their position, the monarchs maintained that the visit by Oba Olugbenle and his associates was “self-serving and unpopular,” warning that any actions taken during or after the meeting should be treated with caution by stakeholders across the state.
They concluded by affirming that the majority of Ogun West traditional rulers would not take responsibility for decisions made without due consultation, calling instead for unity, due process, and respect for tradition as the state gradually approaches the 2027 political season.
Below Eselu’s statement in details….
DISSOCIATION FROM THE VISIT OF OLU-ILARO AND PARAMOUNT RULER OF YEWA LAND, OBA OLUGBENLE AND A FEW OGUN WEST OBAS TO STRATEGIC MEETING WITH IJEBU AND REMO TRADITIONAL COUNCILS
On behalf of many Obas in Ogun West, I, Oba (Dr.) Akintunde Akinyemi, JP, FCIMN, The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, write to publicly dissociate ourselves from the visit of Olu-Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Alayeluwa, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and a few Ogun West Obas to a Strategic Meeting with Obas in Ijebu and Remo Traditional Councils on Tuesday, 17th March, 2026.
It is surprising to note on social media that Alayeluwa, Oba Olugbenle led a few Ogun West Obas to Ijebu and Remo Traditional Councils for a strategic meeting that was unknown to majority of us, i.e Ogun West Obas. The purported strategic meeting was never discussed at the Yewa Traditional Council, so such a meeting is rejected by some of us (Senior Obas and other colleagues) who are in the majority in Yewa Traditional Council. Therefore, such a visit should not be taken seriously by critical stakeholders in Ogun West and the State in general.
On behalf of many of our colleagues, I want to appreciate The Akarigbo of Remo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi (Torungbuwa II), The Elepe of Epe in Remo Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adewale Osiberu (Iruganyin Ekun II) and other revered monarchs in Remo Land AND The Regent of Ijebu Kingdom,
Olori’ogun (Dr.) Sonny Folorunsho Kuku (The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland), The Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo (Ojuromi VI), The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba (Okokodanomeji II) and other revered Ijebu Obas for their usual support for Ogun West. We sincerely apologize on behalf of our leader and a few colleagues for visiting you all to discuss politics instead of paying a condolence visit over the death of the longest reigning monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Kingdom of blessed memory. We want to assure you all that we will definitely come to commiserate with you in a no distant time and later pay a visit to discuss the anticipated political collaboration between Ogun West and other Divisions of our dear State as we all prepare for the 2027 elections.
It is undoubtedly true that Ogun West has been agitating to produce the next Governor of Ogun State, but the approach being adopted by Oba Olugbenle and a few Ogun West Obas is completely wrong and unacceptable. To all of us who were not consulted before embarking on the self serving journey, it is not ripe for any of such issues. If our leader, Oba Olugbenle had consulted us, we would have advised that going for such a strategic meeting at this moment would look like putting the cart before the horse. We would have insisted that a condolence visit should be paid first to Ijebu Traditional Council in order to commiserate with them on the demise of His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Kayode Adetona, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Kingdom of blessed memory.
How on earth would any small group of Ogun West Obas pay such an unpopular visit and attribute it to the entire Ogun West Obas. In fact, the purported visit was wicked and self serving.
The Olu-Ilaro and Paramiunt Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Olugbenle, including a few Obas who went along with him needs to realize that promoting our own Aremo Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is not a bad step, but it would have been better to take steps to unify all the contestants and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in them. Majority of us in Yewa Traditional Council believe it is an unwise decision, at this moment, to start promoting one aspirant among many sons and daughters of Ogun West who are interested in vying for the position of Ogun State Governor. If this small group of Yewa Obas does not desist from this shenanigan, it may cause a division among the contestants from Ogun West and lead us to an unfavorable end.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR who is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Governor Dapo Abiodun who is the State Leader of the party and other leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State have not named their flagbearer in Ogun State, so supporting one candidate over others at this moment is not ideal. It is true that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is our beloved son, but we need to be very cautious not to cause any disharmony between him and other contestants like the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, i.e Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, i.e Chief Sharafa Ishola, daughter of former Nigerian President, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, Chief Jelili Amusan, etc.
Stakeholders in Ogun West and the entire**Ogun West Monarchs Disown Olugbenle’s ‘Secret’ Political Visit, Warn Against Premature 202 State should note, once again, that the visit of the Olu-Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Olugbenle and a few Ogun West Obas to Ijebu and Remo Traditional Councils was not tabled for discussion at the Yewa Traditional Council, so everything done before, during and after the purported visit should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Finally, it should be noted that majority of us in the Yewa Traditional Council will not take responsibility for an action taken on our behalf by our leader and a few colleagues whose action is viewed as self serving and unpopular.
Thank you.
I remain
His Royal Majesty,
Oba (Dr.) Akintunde Akinyemi, JP, FCIMN,
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom,
Yewa North Local Government Area,
Ogun State
