The Dagburewe-in-Council and Oloritun-in-Council of Idowa-Ijebu, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, have rejected allegations that the town’s traditional ruler, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape Okuribido (Okulote II), obstructed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign train when it entered the ancient kingdom on September 16, 2026, for a purported mega rally.
The councils also rejected allegations that the monarch supported or aided the destruction of property during the botched rally in the town.
Addressing a press conference at Idowa Town Hall on Tuesday, the councils said the monarch neither stopped the campaign train linked to Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu from entering Idowa nor participated in, authorised or encouraged any act of violence or destruction allegedly associated with the incident.
The monarch was represented at the briefing by the Sobaloju/Imole-Adinni of Idowa, Alhaji (Chief) Yusuf Olatunji Olusanya.
Also present were the Chief Imam of Idowa, Alhaji Sheikh Taiwo Hassan; Ven. Stephen Adekoya; Pastor Samuel Oyenuga; Chief (Mrs) Modinat Adebambo, Otun-Iyalaje of Idowa; Chief Taiwo Ifanbe, Oluwo of Idowa; and the Chairman of the Council of Olorituns, Chief Suarau Olola, alongside other Olorituns.
The councils said the press conference was prompted by what they described as persistent attempts to drag the traditional institution into the partisan politics of 2027 following the September 16 incident.
Chief Olusanya said Oba Dagburewe had consistently assured political parties of equal treatment and maintained neutrality in political matters.
He further stated that neither the monarch nor any member of the traditional institution was directed by the government or any government agency to prevent the PDP campaign train from entering Idowa.
The traditional councils also said they were unaware of any formal notification letter sent to either the community or the palace concerning the proposed campaign visit.
They challenged anyone with evidence that the monarch interfered with the rally or supported acts of destruction to present such evidence to the appropriate authorities rather than relying on social media reports or what they described as politically motivated narratives.
Prayer session preceded incident
Giving their account of events leading up to the confrontation, the councils said residents had gathered for a multi-religious prayer for the peace and wellbeing of Idowa.
They said the prayer began at about 10am at the traditional prayer centre, an open space in front of the Idowa Central Mosque and Idowa Health Centre, and continued until a few minutes before 5pm.
Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers, they said, participated in the gathering.
According to the councils, the reported arrival of the PDP campaign train and the subsequent confrontation occurred against the backdrop of the religious gathering.
They also raised questions about the planning and notification of the political event, particularly the reported change in its description from an Ogun East Mega Campaign flag-off to an Odogbolu Local Government campaign flag-off.
The councils questioned why Idowa was selected for a political event initially described as an Ogun East Mega Campaign, arguing that the town was neither the largest nor the most spacious location in the area for a gathering expected to draw participants from the nine local government areas of Ogun East.
They therefore called for clarification on the level of notification and security arrangements made ahead of the visit.
Councils demand probe
The traditional councils urged security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether formal notification of the campaign was sent to relevant government authorities, community officials and the palace.
They also called on the authorities to determine whether Adebutu and his campaign train actually visited Idowa on September 16 and, if so, establish the itinerary and security arrangements approved for the movement.
According to the councils, conflicting accounts have emerged over the campaign train’s movement. While one account allegedly claimed that the team did not enter Idowa, another reportedly stated that it passed through Ososa and Idowa on its way to Ijebu-Ode.
They consequently called for a detailed investigation into reports of a confrontation involving persons allegedly associated with the campaign train, including claims of sporadic gunshots, looting of shops and destruction of vehicles.
The councils specifically sought clarification over an alleged shooting involving the son of Sakiru Bello, popularly known as Omoh.
They asked the authorities to establish whether the young man was shot and, if so, determine where, when, by whom and under what circumstances.
Questions over arrest, alleged payment.
The councils also raised questions over the reported arrest of Bello by the police in connection with the pasting of PDP posters and an allegation that N50,000 was paid into an account in connection with his release.
They said police records and banking documents could help establish what actually occurred.
The councils also denied, pending evidence, an allegation that Oba Dagburewe personally led a team that apprehended four PDP members.
They challenged the authorities to establish who made any such arrests, under whose authority, where they occurred and where the alleged detainees were taken.
On the use of a venue for the political activity, the councils questioned an alleged payment of N170,000 into the community coffers despite an agreement said to have been for N30,000.
They alleged that N140,000 was subsequently refunded through a signed cheque reportedly bearing the name of Oyinlola Odufuwa, whom they said had requested the refund.
According to the councils, the cheque was not collected because Odufuwa was said to have travelled to Abuja.
They also questioned the reported discrepancy between the name on the cheque and that of the person who requested the refund, urging the authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the transaction.
‘Let evidence speak’
The councils called on the police and other security agencies to conduct what they described as a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the September 16 incident.
They urged investigators to examine eyewitness accounts, police records, banking documents, photographs, videos and other available evidence in determining what happened.
“If anyone alleges that His Royal Highness stalled a political rally or aided the destruction of property, the proper thing is to present the evidence to the appropriate authorities,” the councils said.
They added that anyone found culpable after a proper investigation, regardless of political affiliation, should face the law.
“We are not asking for favour. We are not asking for protection for anybody. We are asking for the truth.
“Let nobody attempt to rewrite history through social media. Idowa deserves truth, peace and justice, not politically convenient narratives.
“The allegation against Oba Dagburewe must be established with evidence. Let the investigation speak. Let the evidence speak. Let the law prevail,” the councils said.
