Erunwon Obaship: Oluwo Obasanjo, Others deny involvement in slowing the process, call on aspirants to show interest

The Erunwon council of chief has denied their involvement in slowing the process of selection of another king to ascend the throne of “Olu of Erunwon” in Kajola community.

The chief of Kajola responded to the call of our medium today subsequent to the story of delay in the obaship process in Eruwon, Kajola Obafemi—Owode local government area of Ogun state today 14th of August 2023.

In a meeting with Amebo Newspapers NG. was Adisa Obasanjo Adeoye, Oluwo Eruwon, former chairman of Obafemi—Owode local government, Cheif Olaseni Adeoye, Ekerin of Eruwon, Chief Fagbenro Kayode, Laderin of Eruwon, Imam Rasaq Arikewuyo, Officer of Omo Ibile in Erumwon Descendant standing for the youths.

Oluwo Akanji Somorin Sowonoye denied the allegations of slowing the Obaship process saying it is beyond his power to do so but the Alake of Egbaland has the power to appoint the Olu of Erunwon after selection by the traditional rulers and kingmakers.

Oluwo Adisa Adeoye Obasanjo narrated the process of installing Oba in Kajola in 2012 by the deceased Oluwo, Chief Nolaedun who was also the Aro of Egbaland under the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, he was also the secretary of UNITED AFRICA COMPANY UAC.

He recalled that sometimes in 2015, Oluwo Nolaedun came to Kajola town with the news that he had gotten an approval from Alake of Egbaland, Dr Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo to appoint the Olu of Erunwon.

The community in their effort to have a candidate for the position couldn’t get a person to occupy the Obaship title before the death of the Oluwo Nolaedun, after his death, Adisa Obasanjo Adeoye was chosen to replace him in 2017 as Oluwo of Erunwon, Kajola.

Adisa Obasanjo Adeoye in his bid to see to the development of Kajola forged ahead to appoint an Oba in Orile Kajola, he threw the option to the prominent sons of Erunwon, where two prominent candidate emerged, namely Chief Philips Oluwole Dayo Akinbiyi and Akanji Somorin Sowonoye.

As process was about to begin to select one of them in 2019, Governor Ibikunle Amosun suddenly appointed 75 coronet where Akanji Somorin Sowonoye was appointed above Kajola land. He was believed to have find his way behind the authority of the land to procure an appointment from Ogun state government where the Oluwo and other chiefs in council were not carried along in the process of appointment of Akanji Somorin Sowonoye as the monarch in Erunwon.

Traditionally all successful town in Egbaland have three pillars which are Oluwo, Jaguna and the Balogun who are in the position of authority but as time goes on the Jaguna was sidelined leaving Oluwo and Balogun as the Chief who are behind kingmaking process.

According to Adisa Obasanjo Adeoye, Oluwo Eruwon, “My signature and that of Balogun was forged to get the Obaship appointment from the government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, To the glory of Almighty God the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun suspended Akanji Somorin Sowonoye alongside other 74 coronet who were made Oba by the previous administration… In actual fact, they are not in Ogun state gazette meaning no salary for them.” Oluwo Obasanjo Adeoye said.

Meanwhile, Kajola was also affected alongside other communities where their baale was abruptly upgraded to Oba by Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2019 over communities where they dont have the backings of the kingmakers.

A court case was initiated against Akanji Somorin Sowonoye who is impersonating himself as Olu of Obafemi by the council of chief of Eruwon for invading their territory.

During the course of the tussle, “The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo advised us as the council of chiefs in Eruwom to suspend the process of installation of Obaship till the court case is won and everything fall to places.” Oluwo added.

Also, The council of chief also said, there is not iota of truth that the chief of Erunwon came to a conclusion to make the son of the former Oba as the Olu of Eruwon, he challenged anyone who has fact to proof it to the world where the council of chief meet and reached conclusion to that effect.

There are four sections of Egbaland namely Osile, Gbagura, Oluwu and Alake respectively.

Eruwon fall under the Alake of Egbaland jurisdiction, meaning only the Alake can brief the governor after a recommendation by the kingmaker while the council of Obas will approve candidate and the process of installation will commence with immediate effect.

The Oluwo also said he has not at a time received anything from any candidate to install them as Olu of Erunwon, he said he recognised Prince Ajibola Adebiyi, the son of former Baale of Kajola who was supposed to be installed as Olu of Kajola but he died, based on the contribution of his fathers to the development of Kajola.

The Chief conclusively said if Prince Ajibola is interested in becoming the Olu of Erunwon, he is free to join the race because they prefer him to ascend the throne based on his philanthropic and humanitarian gesture cum exposure to the world.