To forestall a near-future uprising among the Egba people of Abeokuta, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has revoked the appointment of Chief Adewunmi Gbenga as the Baale of Elejirin Village, a community in the Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State.
The action followed the “controversy over the duplication of titles and village heads” in one Egba community that shares a common ancestral home, culture, and tradition in the Gateway State.
The alleged title duplication came on the heels of the claim by the Ago Oba Traditional Council, led by the former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, that the so-called Elejirin Village belongs to Oba Township, not Ijeja Township, as earlier presented to Oba Gbadebo.
Consequently, in an attempt to avert what could lead to communal crisis, Alake, who is the ancient paramount monarch in Egbaland, in a letter dated 15th June, 2026, addressed to the Oluwo of Ijeja Township, Chief Mukaila Atanda Akinwande, explained that the decision to revoke Adewunmi’s appointment as the village head followed a review which revealed that the so-called Elejirin Village belongs to Oba Township and not Ijeja Township as earlier presented.
In revoking Adewunmi’s earlier title, Oba Gbadebo declared that the Certificate of Appointment No. OK.IV/.001014, earlier issued to him as a recognised head of Elejirin Village, has become “null and void with immediate effect”.
Reacting to the development, the Ago Oba Traditional Council, under the leadership of Oluwo of Oba, Chief Osoba, commended Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland for what he described as a firm and corrective step aimed at preserving traditional order and administrative clarity in Egbaland.
The council stated that the community referred to as Elejirin village belongs to Pakudi land, emphasising that the only recognised Baale of Pakudi is Chief Adegbenga Kolawole Olaleye.
It further reaffirmed its loyalty to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, describing the decision as one that would promote peace, unity, and respect for traditional authority across the kingdom.
